ICC Sets Deadline for Bangladesh's Decision on T20 World Cup Participation

ICC's Ultimatum to Bangladesh Cricket Board

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a deadline to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), requiring them to confirm by Wednesday, January 21, whether the Bangladesh cricket team will participate in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India. This information comes from ICC sources.

Should the BCB decide against sending their team to India, the ICC may appoint a replacement, with Scotland being a likely candidate based on current rankings. The tournament is set to commence on February 7.

Concerns Over Player Safety in India

Following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2026 squad due to directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the BCB has been advocating for the relocation of matches outside India. Their concerns stem from ongoing minority issues in Bangladesh, emphasizing the 'safety and security' of their players.

Despite these concerns, the ICC has maintained its original schedule, placing Bangladesh in Group C alongside Italy, New Zealand, the West Indies, and Nepal. According to the current itinerary, Bangladesh is slated to play three group-stage matches at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by their final group-stage match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

ICC Denies Bangladesh's Request to Shift to Sri Lanka

During the discussions on Saturday, it was revealed that the ICC rejected a proposal for Bangladesh and Ireland to swap groups, which would have allowed Bangladesh to compete in Group B and play their initial matches in Sri Lanka.

The ICC has also reassured the BCB that there are no security threats posed to the Bangladesh team while in India.