KEY POINTS
- BCB until Jan 21 to decide whether to travel to India.
- Dispute was triggered by BCCI’s removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.
- Scotland is on standby as potential replacement if Bangladesh withdraws.
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has set a final deadline of January 21 to decide whether its national team will participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, escalating a standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over security and scheduling.
The ICC confirmed the deadline during high-level discussions in Dhaka on Saturday.
This marks the second meeting in a week where the BCB has firmly reiterated its desire to compete in the tournament, but not on Indian soil, proposing Sri Lanka as an alternative host for its matches.
The ICC has remained equally firm, stating the original schedule and venues will not be changed.
Security concerns and political fallout
The BCB’s stance is rooted in security apprehensions for its players, a position intensified by a recent political dispute.
The flashpoint occurred on January 4, following the BCCI-instigated removal of pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad.
This action prompted the Bangladeshi government to ban IPL broadcasts within the country, leading the BCB to formally request its World Cup matches be relocated.
“While the ICC has assured us there are no specific, direct threats to the team, our concerns regarding the overall environment remain,” a BCB official stated.
Tournament logistics in jeopardy
Bangladesh is slated to play in Group C, with three matches scheduled in Kolkata, including their opener against the West Indies on February 7, and a final group stage match in Mumbai.
The ICC has already rejected a BCB proposal to shift Bangladesh to Group B to facilitate playing in Sri Lanka.
An independent security assessment, reviewed by the boards, acknowledges a “medium to high” general threat level in India but identifies no targeted risks to touring teams.
Replacement team looms as deadline nears
With the tournament just weeks away, contingency plans are being activated.
Sources close to the discussions indicate that if Bangladesh refuses to travel, the ICC is prepared to invite a replacement team.
Scotland, the next highest-ranked team not already qualified, is the leading candidate to fill the void, which would cause a significant reshuffling of the group stage dynamics.
