The International Cricket Council (ICC) has firmly rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate its matches from India during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The decision, taken after an emergency board meeting on Wednesday, leaves Bangladesh facing a critical 24-hour deadline to confirm participation or risk being replaced in the tournament.
The ruling significantly escalates tensions between the ICC and the BCB, with the global body making it clear that the tournament schedule will not be altered at such a late stage.
Emergency ICC Meeting Ends in Clear Majority Verdict
The ICC convened a virtual emergency meeting on January 21 to deliberate on Bangladesh’s insistence that their matches be shifted out of India, citing security concerns. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, 14 out of the 16 board members voted against the proposal.
Only Pakistan and Bangladesh supported the relocation request, leaving the BCB isolated in its stance.
Following the vote, the ICC issued what is effectively an ultimatum: Bangladesh has 24 hours to confirm that its team will travel to India for the February 7 to March 8 tournament. Failure to do so will result in Bangladesh being replaced.
Scotland Tipped as Potential Replacement
If Bangladesh opts out, Scotland is widely expected to step in as the replacement team in Group C. Tournament officials indicated that contingency plans were already in place, underscoring the ICC’s determination to protect the integrity and timeline of the World Cup.
An ICC source said the governing body was never inclined to make last-minute changes, especially when extensive planning and logistics were already finalized.
Security Assessments Found No Credible Threat
A central factor in the ICC’s decision was the review of multiple security assessments, including independent evaluations. These reports concluded there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials, media personnel, or fans at any of the Indian venues.
Based on these findings, the ICC saw no justification to shift matches to an alternative host such as Sri Lanka, as proposed by the BCB.
Group Swap Proposal Rejected
The BCB had also explored the idea of a group swap with Ireland, which is scheduled to play its matches in Sri Lanka. However, that proposal was dismissed early, with Cricket Ireland confirming it had received assurances that its schedule would remain unchanged.
The ICC reiterated this position during the meeting, further narrowing Bangladesh’s options.
Bangladesh’s Match Schedule in India
Under the existing schedule, Bangladesh is set to play three group-stage matches in Kolkata on February 7, 9, and 14 against West Indies, Italy, and England. Their final group match is scheduled against Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 17.
Any withdrawal at this stage would not only impact Bangladesh’s campaign but also disrupt group dynamics.
ICC Responds to BCB’s IPL Linkage Claim
Later in the day, the ICC released an official statement dismissing the BCB’s attempt to link Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL to alleged security concerns.
The ICC spokesperson stated that the organization had engaged in “sustained and constructive dialogue” with the BCB, sharing detailed venue-level security plans and formal assurances from Indian authorities.
The statement emphasized that the IPL-related issue was “isolated and unrelated” and had no bearing on the security framework of the T20 World Cup.
Final Decision Now Rests with Bangladesh Government
With the clock ticking, the BCB is expected to consult the Bangladesh government before making a final call. The outcome will determine whether Bangladesh remains part of the 2026 T20 World Cup or exits under unprecedented circumstances.
For now, the ICC’s message is unambiguous: the tournament will proceed as planned.