The International Cricket Council has rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift its T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India, escalating uncertainty over the team’s participation in the tournament. Following a board meeting on Wednesday, the global governing body issued a firm 24-hour deadline to the Bangladesh Cricket Board to confirm whether the team will take part.

According to sources, the ICC made it clear that failure to confirm participation within the stipulated time would result in Bangladesh being removed from the tournament. In such a scenario, Scotland is expected to be drafted in as a replacement based on rankings.

Bangladesh are placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup and are scheduled to play their first three matches in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14, before facing their final group-stage fixture in Mumbai on February 17. The refusal to play in India, citing security concerns, triggered the standoff between the two boards.

ICC meeting and reactions

The decision followed an ICC board meeting attended by representatives from all full member nations, including ICC chairman Jay Shah and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam. Discussions reportedly focused on Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India and possible alternatives, including changes to group allocations.

There was also talk of Bangladesh seeking a move from Group C, where all matches are scheduled in India, to Group B, with fixtures hosted in Sri Lanka. However, such a swap would require rearranging existing group compositions, making it a complex decision for the ICC.

Pakistan backs Bangladesh stance

The Pakistan Cricket Board has backed Bangladesh’s position and conveyed to the ICC that the concerns raised by the BCB are justified. Pakistan also offered to host Bangladesh’s matches if relocating them to Sri Lanka proved difficult.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the players are keen to participate in the World Cup but are not involved in administrative decisions. He stated that representing the country in a global event remains a priority for the team.

Legal developments in India

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court declined to entertain a public interest litigation seeking a ban on Bangladesh from international cricket. The court observed that such matters fall within the domain of foreign policy and international relations, which are beyond judicial intervention.

As the deadline approaches, the onus is now on the Bangladesh Cricket Board to take a final call. If no confirmation is received within 24 hours, the ICC is expected to proceed with alternative arrangements.

Bangladesh has responded firmly to reports of an International Cricket Council (ICC) ultimatum over its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, with the country’s Youth and Sports adviser Asif Nazrul alleging that “unreasonable and unrealistic pressure” is being applied.

Speaking on the eve of the reported January 21 deadline, Nazrul clarified that Bangladesh has not received any formal communication from the ICC regarding possible exclusion from the tournament. He also dismissed speculation that Scotland could replace Bangladesh if the team refuses to travel to India.

Nazrul said Bangladesh’s position remains unchanged, stressing that the team cannot be forced to play in India under pressure. He pointed out that similar situations in the past had led to venue changes when teams declined to travel due to concerns.

“We can’t be forced to play in India with unreasonable and unrealistic pressure. We haven’t heard formally that we will be excluded and replaced by Scotland. If the ICC puts undue pressure on us, we will not accept it,” Nazrul said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Bangladesh cites precedent for venue change

The adviser referred to previous instances where teams declined to travel to certain countries, following which the ICC altered venues. According to him, Bangladesh has asked for a venue change based on what it considers logical reasons and expects the ICC to treat the matter fairly.

Nazrul added that if the ICC yields to pressure from any cricket board and insists on Bangladesh playing in India, the country will stand by its decision.

Several rounds of discussions have reportedly taken place between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board since the issue surfaced. Reports suggest that the ICC has asked the BCB to convey its final decision by January 21 on whether the team will travel to India for the tournament.

World Cup schedule amid uncertainty

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are slated to open their campaign on the same day against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Their group-stage fixtures also include matches against Italy, England and Nepal, all scheduled to be played in Kolkata, with the final group match set for February 17.

With the deadline approaching, uncertainty continues over Bangladesh’s participation, as both sides await a final call on the venue issue.

The International Cricket Council has not approached Scotland regarding a potential replacement for Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, according to media reports, even as uncertainty continues over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament scheduled to be hosted in India.

Speculation intensified after reports claimed that the ICC had asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board to confirm its participation by January 21, warning that refusal to travel to India could lead to replacement by another team. Scotland emerged in reports as the most likely alternative, being the highest-ranked side not currently part of the tournament lineup.

However, media reports stated that Cricket Scotland has not received any communication from the ICC on the matter. Scotland cricket officials are also not planning to initiate contact with the global governing body, citing respect for their counterparts at the Bangladesh Cricket Board amid the ongoing situation.

Background to the controversy

The standoff began after Bangladesh requested that their group-stage matches be shifted out of India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The request was made despite the tournament schedule already being finalised, with India and Sri Lanka set to co-host matches under previously agreed ICC arrangements until 2027.

Tensions further escalated following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League 2026 season on instructions from the Indian board, reportedly due to unspecified developments surrounding bilateral relations.

According to an ICC source quoted in media reports, Bangladesh officials have been told to take a final call on participation by January 21, with the possibility of replacement based on team rankings if they decline to travel.

Bangladesh firm on travel decision

Citing national pride and security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced that its national team will not travel to India for its scheduled group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. Despite ongoing discussions, the ICC has shown reluctance to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures, given logistical constraints and the fixed tournament schedule.

Scotland’s name has surfaced due to precedent, as the team replaced Zimbabwe in the 2009 T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe withdrew for political reasons. For now, however, Scotland remains uninvolved, with no formal communication from the ICC as the deadline for Bangladesh’s decision approaches.