DUBAI, JAN 24: The 24-hour deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to confirm its participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 has now expired, raising the likelihood of a replacement team being invited.
According to Indian media reports, the BCB failed to communicate its position to the ICC within the stipulated timeframe, despite internal discussions with government authorities and players’ representatives.
As of the filing of this report, no formal response had been received from the BCB.
From the ICC’s perspective, the next step is clear. Had Bangladesh agreed to participate, the matter would have been resolved.
With no confirmation, Scotland is expected to be invited as a replacement side. Dubai, which has been awaiting clarity from Dhaka, could announce Scotland’s participation imminently.
BCB President Aminul Islam had spoken of the possibility of a last-minute resolution, but with the ICC board already having voted on the matter, there appeared little room for change. Ultimately, the decision rested with Bangladesh—and no action was taken.
Bangladesh had until Thursday to decide whether its team would travel to India but reiterated its refusal, citing security concerns. Asif Nazrul, sports adviser to the Bangladesh government, told Indian media that the decision not to play in India was a government directive.
“Now this ICC tournament is being held in India. No matter how much the ICC says there is no security risk, the ICC does not have its own country. The country where my player was not safe – and where the Indian cricket board, which is an extended arm of the government, failed or was unwilling to provide him security under pressure from extremists – that is the country hosting this tournament,” Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government’s sports advisor, said on Thursday stating that not to play in India is a government decision.
While prioritising player safety, Bangladesh’s decision is expected to have major implications for its participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
On Thursday, the BCB formally announced its demand to move its national men’s team’s matches from India to Sri Lanka.
The decision was taken during a meeting between BCB officials, including President Aminul Islam, Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul and national players such as Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Jaker Ali, Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan.
Following the meeting, Islam addressed the media, confirming that Bangladesh’s stance regarding travel to India for the 20-team mega event, starting February 7, remained unchanged.
He noted that the ICC had given a 24-hour ultimatum but argued that Bangladesh could not be dismissed from the tournament, saying it would be a missed opportunity to reach an audience of around 200 million.
The Sports Adviser echoed Islam’s statements, stressing that security concerns in India were based on real incidents.
For reference, Bangladesh, drawn in Group C, is scheduled to play its first three group matches in Kolkata—against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14—before concluding its group stage against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
Earlier today, reports suggested that Pakistan might boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 if Bangladesh withdrew, citing the non-fulfillment of its requests.
