ICC T20 World Cup 2026: ICC Delivers Ultimatum to Bangladesh; Which Team Will Get a Chance if BCB Refuses to Play in India
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: ICC on Bangladesh Demand: Bangladesh's persistent refusal to play the T20 World Cup 2026 in India could backfire. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) an ultimatum: if they refuse to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, their place could be given to Scotland, a European team.
The ICC has given the BCB until January 21st to agree to the India tour. If they fail to do so, Scotland could be given their spot, as Scotland has a better current T20I ranking.
No specific security threat to Bangladeshi team: ICC
The Bangladesh Cricket Board is against holding the T20 World Cup in India and is demanding that their matches be shifted outside India, particularly to co-host Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has stated that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladeshi team or any particular team in India.
According to reports, an independent security agency had assessed the threat level in India as 'medium to high,' but the ICC clarified to the BCB that this level was based on general risk, not specific to any particular team.
BCB had also suggested swapping groups with Ireland
The BCB had also suggested swapping groups with Ireland, as Ireland will play all its group stage matches in Sri Lanka. However, the ICC rejected this proposal as well. This dispute between the BCB and the ICC has now entered its third week. Bangladesh is scheduled to play three of its group stage matches in Kolkata and the fourth in Mumbai, starting February 7th.
Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL
The BCB's security concerns intensified when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 team. He was bought for Rs 9.2 crore last year. Neither the BCCI nor KKR has explicitly stated the reason, but the BCCI hinted at the growing anti-Bangladeshi sentiment in India.
Former Bangladesh cricketers advised a diplomatic solution
The BCB also faced some resistance from within, with former cricketers advising a diplomatic solution rather than outright refusal to travel. Recently, a board official made a derogatory remark, saying that the BCB would suffer no loss if they didn't participate in the World Cup and that the players wouldn't receive any compensation either, which led to a players' strike. The matter was later resolved.