The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a firm ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), warning that the nation could be replaced at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup if it continues to refuse to send its team to play matches scheduled in India. The tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and is set to begin on February 7, 2026.
At a board meeting this week, the ICC decided that if Bangladesh maintains its current stance and does not travel to India for its group-stage fixtures, the global governing body will move ahead with a replacement team, likely Scotland, based on existing team rankings. Bangladesh has been given one more day to consult with its government and confirm its final decision.
Standoff Over Venue and Participation
The standoff began after the BCB formally rejected its scheduled group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing security concerns and political sensitivities following the controversy surrounding the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League squad. Bangladesh’s leadership has repeatedly said the team will not travel to India under any circumstances unless its conditions are met — including a request to relocate its matches to co-host Sri Lanka.
Despite multiple discussions and submissions from the BCB, the ICC has consistently maintained that it will not alter the tournament schedule or venues at this stage, pointing to completed security assessments and commitments from host authorities that indicate no credible threat to the Bangladesh team.
Support and Opposition Within Cricket Boards
While the ICC’s statement reflects a broad majority of member boards backing the stance that the current schedule must be upheld, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has publicly supported Bangladesh’s position, including requests for venue changes and concerns about player safety and political pressures.
Nonetheless, the ICC’s board vote saw only a minority of members — reportedly including the PCB — siding with Bangladesh’s request to shift matches. The rest of the board voted against changing venues, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the established planning and timetable for the World Cup.
Possible Replacement and Implications
If Bangladesh ultimately declines to participate in India, the ICC’s plan is to bring in Scotland as a replacement in Group C, where Bangladesh was slated to play against teams including England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal. Such a late change would be unprecedented and could have repercussions for points, scheduling and travel logistics for the World Cup.
The situation remains fluid, with the BCB expected to communicate its decision imminently. Cricket fans and stakeholders will be closely watching how the dispute unfolds in the coming hours, especially given the limited time before the tournament’s opening matches.
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