ICC satisfied with Eden Gardens Facilities ahead of T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given a thumbs-up to Eden Gardens' facilities ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. A joint ICC-BCCI inspection team toured the historic 66,000-capacity venue on Thursday, scrutinizing the outfield, floodlights, corporate suites, and broadcasting infrastructure.

"The ICC team inspected the iconic ground, corporate boxes, and all stadium amenities, expressing satisfaction and enthusiasm for delivering a successful World Cup," the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) announced on Thursday.

Eden Gardens, which has hosted landmark finals including the 1987 ODI World Cup and IPL showpieces, will stage five group-stage matches, including one of three opening-day

clashes on February 7, plus a Super Eights fixture and potentially a semifinal.

The semifinal slot hinges on Pakistan's progress; their last-four match is pre-allocated to Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium to sidestep India-Pakistan geopolitical tensions. Among group games, Eden will host three of Bangladesh's encounters: vs. Scotland (Feb 8), vs. Namibia (Feb 12), and vs. UAE (Feb 16), per the official ICC schedule.

However, Bangladesh's participation hangs in the balance amid escalating political unrest. Sports adviser Asif Nazrul, after consulting the national team, declared the ICC's venue assessment "unacceptable" and voiced security fears for travelling to India. The row intensified after pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman was pulled from IPL 2026 by BCCI orders citing vague "developing circumstances"-a move linked to Bangladesh's nationwide protests.

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice reaffirmed no fixture relocations, emphasising neutral-venue protocols already in place. Should Bangladesh withdraw, the first such boycott since Zimbabwe's 2003 pullout, World Rankings place Scotland as the top replacement, with Netherlands or Oman next in line. Scotland, fresh off a strong Associates campaign, would inherit Bangladesh's fixtures and seeding.

CAB president Snehasish Ganguly dismissed concerns, highlighting Eden's impeccable security record for high-profile events like the 2023 ODI World Cup opener. "We've hosted global spectacles seamlessly; all protocols are ICC-compliant," he told reporters.

The T20 World Cup features 20 teams in a format blending group stages, Super Eights, and knockouts across 12 Indian and Sri Lankan venues. India's campaign kicks off against Pakistan at Eden on the opening day, setting a blockbuster tone. With Bangladesh's deadline looming, the ICC monitors developments closely ahead of team arrivals in early February.