24 January 2026, Islamabad: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Bangladesh will not feature in the 2026 T20 World Cup, replacing them with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India. The decision, rooted in escalating diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours, has deprived the tournament of a cricketing economy of 220 million people — a staggering loss in viewership and commercial reach.
Why Did Bangladesh Refuse to Travel?
Relations between India and Bangladesh soured after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024. Hasina has since taken refuge in New Delhi, a development that inflamed nationalist sentiment in both countries. Matters escalated further on January 3, when the Indian government directed the BCCI to remove Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. He was subsequently dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.
In response, the BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. Pakistan had already been granted neutral venues for ICC events until 2027, following India’s refusal to play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025. Bangladesh expected the same principle to apply, given its sizeable cricket market.
However, after weeks of negotiations, the ICC stood firm. On January 21, the governing body issued an ultimatum to the BCB, demanding a final decision within 24 hours. The BCB has since escalated the matter to the Independent Dispute Resolution Committee, seeking an impartial review. As ICC’s given deadline has passed, Scotland has been announced as their replacement.
ICC’s Justification
Meeting virtually to address the standoff, the ICC board ruled on Wednesday that the T20 World Cup will go ahead exactly as scheduled, reaffirming its commitment to the original fixture list.
“All reviews indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, officials, or fans at any of the tournament venues in India,” the ICC said in a statement.
The board argued that altering the schedule so close to the tournament would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the neutrality of ICC events.
BCB president Nazrul, however, rejected the ICC’s reasoning: “Our security concerns stem from a real incident — one of our top players was forced out of India. We want to play the World Cup, but not in India.”
BCCI’s Influence
South Asia accounts for nearly 90% of cricket’s global fanbase, with India alone generating three-quarters of the sport’s revenue. The BCCI’s financial clout has long been seen as a decisive factor in ICC decision-making.
Indian journalist Pradeep noted in The Tribune: “The BCCI’s staggering revenues give it unimaginable control over world cricket. There is no one to challenge India’s hegemony.”
The ICC chairman, Jay Shah — son of India’s powerful interior minister Amit Shah — has also faced scrutiny over the politicisation of cricket governance.
Cricket: A Politicised Game
This is not the first time cricket has been entangled in geopolitics. Pakistani players were barred from the IPL in 2009. In 2012, the PCB backed India’s “Big Three” model after promises of bilateral series, which never materialised.
Pakistan’s participation in the 2016 T20 World Cup was in doubt, and while they eventually toured India for the 2023 World Cup, India refused to play in Pakistan during the Asia Cup that same year. Their matches were shifted to Sri Lanka.
The ICC later ruled that India and Pakistan would play at neutral venues if either hosted an ICC event. Pakistan will therefore play all its 2026 fixtures in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh had hoped for similar treatment, but they have been sidelined.
India–Pakistan fixture alone generates nearly half of ICC’s tournament revenue, making Pakistan significant for the tournament.
Fallout and Reactions
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi condemned the decision:
“It’s an embarrassment for world cricket. If this continues, other countries may also distance themselves from India, just like Bangladesh did. The ICC always leans towards India.”
Experts warn that Bangladesh’s exclusion could slash BCB’s revenues by up to 60%, with losses from ICC income and no future bilateral series with India.
The precedent set in 2026 may well reshape the politics of cricket for years to come — but for now, this declining sport has lost 220 million Bengali viewers.
