Bangladesh will decide by January 21 whether it will travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The decision follows direct talks between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council in Dhaka.
During a second meeting this week, the BCB confirmed its intention to play in the tournament. However, it again asked Bangladesh to play its matches outside India due to security concerns. The board proposed Sri Lanka as an alternative venue.
The ICC rejected the request and kept Bangladesh in Group C, ESPNcricinfo reported. Officials told the BCB that they see no security risk for teams touring India. The ICC also refused a proposal to move Bangladesh to Group B in place of Ireland.
The ICC has now asked the BCB to give a final answer. If Bangladesh declines to travel, Scotland will likely replace them based on current rankings. The issue has remained unresolved since the BCB first raised concerns on January 4.
The tournament begins on February 7. Bangladesh are scheduled to open their campaign against the West Indies in Kolkata. They are also set to play two more group matches at the same venue before finishing the group stage in Mumbai.
Read: Bangladesh Cricketers Boycott Matches, Demand Resignation of BCB Director
The dispute began after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad. The decision reportedly came from the Board of Control for Cricket in India without a public explanation.
Soon after, the Bangladesh government banned domestic broadcasts of the Indian Premier League. The BCB then formally informed the ICC that it would not play World Cup matches in India.
The situation may affect other teams. Pakistan is now reviewing its own participation in the tournament, according to sources. Officials said Bangladesh has asked Pakistan for support over its security stance.
Pakistan has backed Bangladesh’s concerns and urged fair treatment. Islamabad said no team should face pressure or coercion. Discussions between cricket boards and governments are expected to continue in the coming days.
