The countdown is on as uncertainty looms over Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Sources reveal that Bangladesh has been asked to decide by Wednesday whether to play their scheduled matches in India or opt out, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) insists they have received no official deadline from the ICC, only a prompt response regarding their proposal to shift matches to Sri Lanka. Sports Advisor Asif stressed that Bangladesh will not bow to any pressure from India, citing security risks as the primary reason for requesting the venue change.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo and Indian media, if Bangladesh fails to decide by Wednesday, Scotland, a high-ranking team that did not automatically qualify, could replace them. The ICC reportedly offered Bangladesh only two options: either play the matches as scheduled in India or be prepared to exit the tournament. However, the BCB has denied receiving any such deadline.
PCB Chairman Amjad Hussain confirmed that on Saturday, an ICC representative visited Dhaka and met with BCB officials, where all concerns about unsafe venues were presented. Alternative arrangements were requested, and the ICC representative said the board would be informed, with a final decision to follow. Bangladesh will be updated once the ICC finalizes its stance.
The Bangladesh government opposes sending the team to India, instructing the BCB to request that matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, co-host of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the ICC, supporting Bangladesh’s stance and highlighting the political tensions in the region. The ICC Board is expected to convene on Wednesday to make a final call. While the timing of PCB’s involvement may raise questions, it is not expected to alter the ICC’s position, which continues to allow Bangladesh to play in Sri Lanka alongside India.
The standoff began after the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, reportedly due to worsening political relations between India and Bangladesh. Following this, the Bangladesh government formally stated that the national team would not play in India.
The situation escalated further, sparking a temporary player boycott during the ongoing BPL, after a senior BCB official disparaged the nation’s top players and outlined the financial impact if Bangladesh abstained from the T20 World Cup.
