KEY POINTS
- ICC confirmed no financial or sporting penalties will be imposed on Bangladesh for its absence from T20 World Cup.
- As part of the settlement, Bangladesh is set to host an ICC event before the 2031 Cricket World Cup.
- BCB President Aminul Islam thanked Pakistan for its support and publicly requested Pakistan to play its scheduled match against India.
- The dispute originated from Bangladesh’s request to move matches out of India after Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exclusion.
ISLAMABAD: Mediated by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board have settled their dispute.
The settlement ensures Bangladesh incurs no penalty for missing the T20 World Cup 2026 and includes an in-principle agreement for Bangladesh to host a major ICC event before 2031.
Resolution focuses on future cooperation, not punishment
In an official statement released Monday, the global governing body declared that neither financial, sporting, nor administrative sanctions would be applied to the BCB.
The talks, which also involved the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), covered the World Cup situation and the broader cricketing landscape in South Asia.
“The ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment,” the ICC statement read. It reiterated Bangladesh’s status as a valued Full Member with a vital role in the sport’s global growth.
A key element of the understanding is an agreement in principle for Bangladesh to host an ICC event prior to the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, pending standard hosting protocols and timelines. “This reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC’s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities,” the ICC added.
The International Cricket Council, Pakistan Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board have concluded an open, constructive and congenial dialogue.
Media Release: https://t.co/gLDIjB3JOp
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
BCB retains legal recourse, expresses gratitude to Pakistan
The ICC clarified that the BCB retains its right to approach the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) under existing regulations, should it wish to pursue the matter further.
In a separate development, BCB President Aminul Islam issued a statement expressing “profound and heartfelt gratitude” to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and the people of Pakistan for their support during the dispute. Following his recent visit to Pakistan for negotiations, Islam made a direct request: “I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
This appeal aligns with the diplomatic intervention made by Sri Lanka’s President, which previously secured Pakistan’s commitment to the high-profile match.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict originated when Bangladesh’s request to move its World Cup matches out of India was rejected by the ICC. This request followed the controversial exclusion of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier in the year. The ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament, citing logistical constraints.
Pakistan had initially threatened to boycott its match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, a move that risked forfeiting a fixture valued commercially at an estimated $500 million. Intensive five-hour talks in Pakistan on Sunday between ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, BCB President Islam, and PCB Chairman Naqvi led to the breakthrough announced Monday.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta stated, “Bangladesh’s absence, is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC’s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.” He emphasised the focus on ensuring the sport’s sustainable growth in Bangladesh.
ISLAMABAD, February 9, 2026.
The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif has been formally briefed by the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, representatives of…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 9, 2026
