India, Jan 19 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly set a January 21 deadline for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to confirm their participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. The final decision will determine whether Bangladesh will travel to India for their scheduled group stage matches or potentially forfeit their spot.
According to ESPNcricinfo, ICC officials met with BCB representatives on Saturday to discuss the issue. While Bangladesh expressed its intent to compete in the tournament, the board reiterated that the team is unwilling to travel to India, citing security concerns. The ICC, however, assured the Bangladeshi board that there is no threat to the team’s safety.
Should Bangladesh decline to travel, the ICC is expected to invite a replacement team, with Scotland currently being the frontrunner based on international rankings.
The controversy follows Bangladesh’s failed request to swap groups with Ireland. Ireland, placed in Group C with hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Oman, will play all its group matches in Sri Lanka, as confirmed by Cricket Ireland. Bangladesh, in Group B alongside West Indies, England, Nepal, and Italy, is scheduled to play its matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Earlier on January 4, the BCB urged the ICC to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security issues following the release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The franchise had released Rahman after objections from right-wing groups in India regarding his inclusion, amid rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The BCB questioned how the entire team’s security could be guaranteed if one player could not safely participate.
The ICC continues to engage with both the BCB and BCCI to resolve the matter before the deadline, with Scotland standing ready to step in if Bangladesh opts out of the India leg of the tournament.