NEW DELHI: The ICC on Tuesday requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board to rethink its demand of moving the team’s T20 World Cup matches out of India, but the BCB refused to soften its stand and once again underlined its security concerns.

In an official statement, the BCB said its position remains unchanged despite the ICC being unwilling to accept the request, adding that both sides will continue to “explore possible solutions” going forward.

Also READ: ICC rejects Bangladesh's security concerns in India

The BCB has written to the ICC on multiple occasions, seeking relocation of its World Cup fixtures citing safety issues. However, with the schedule for the T20 showpiece starting February 7 already finalised, the global body is not expected to alter its plans.

“While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board's position remains unchanged. Both parties agreed that discussions will continue to explore possible solutions,” the BCB said.

“The BCB remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff while engaging constructively with the ICC to address the matter,” the BCB said after its officials attended the video conference with the ICC, it added.

While the BCB maintains that it is unsafe for its players to travel to India, the ICC’s risk assessment report does not indicate any specific or direct threat to the Bangladesh team’s participation in the tournament.

In Tuesday’s video conference with the ICC, the BCB was represented by president Aminul Islam and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, along with other senior officials.

“During the discussions, the BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns. The Board also reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh's matches outside India,” the BCB added.

Bangladesh are slated to play three league-stage matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

The BCB sought relocation after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad amid violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Following Mustafizur’s release, the Bangladesh government imposed a ban on the broadcast of the IPL in the country.

Former captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto have urged caution against adopting a hard-line approach, with Tamim warning that decisions taken now could have consequences a decade down the line.

Shanto has also spoken about the psychological strain players are facing at the prospect of missing a World Cup.

However, sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul has taken a firm stance, repeatedly asserting that Bangladesh will not back down from its demand to relocate its matches to co-host Sri Lanka.

(With PTI Inputs)