What Pakistan actually offered regarding Bangladesh's T-20 World Cup matches

While headlines over the weekend suggested a sudden shift in the venue drama of Bangladesh's matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) recent overture regarding Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches is more of a strategic contingency than a confirmed relocation plan.

Contrary to rumors of an immediate venue swap, PCB sources clarified that Pakistan is positioning itself as a "Plan B." The offer to host the Liton Das-led side is specifically on the table as an alternative "if Sri Lankan venues are unavailable", as Pakistani media reported. 

Pakistan's venues are described as "ready and fully equipped," with the board leveraging its recent experience hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 to showcase operational readiness.

This offer arrives at a critical juncture in the deepening rift between the BCB and BCCI.

The standoff began with the abrupt removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad— which Bangladesh's Information Ministry termed "illogical" before banning the IPL broadcast in protest.

Since then, the situation has hardened into a matter of principle. Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has explicitly stated that the team will not compromise on "national honor" or security by traveling to India.

Under the original schedule, Bangladesh was set to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. By offering its stadiums, the PCB is attempting to capitalize on the "strained relations" between its neighbors, presenting Lahore or Karachi as viable neutral grounds.

Ultimately, while Pakistan has signaled it can host the games, the final decision remains with the ICC, which must now weigh this new option against the BCB's primary preference for Sri Lanka.

According to the latest development, a decision may arrive on Monday from the ICC.