The International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to take a final call on its participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India by January 21, warning that failure to do so could result in the team being replaced in the tournament.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the ICC has conveyed to the BCB that if Bangladesh refuses to travel to India for the event, it would have to be substituted by another team based on current rankings. The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7.
“The BCB officials have been told to decide on participation by January 21. If they refuse to travel to India, they should be prepared to be replaced by another team as per rankings,” an ICC source said.
The standoff follows Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for its group-stage matches, citing security concerns and national considerations. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three league matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
The ICC, however, has shown reluctance to alter the tournament schedule, which has already been finalised. The governing body is also unwilling to shift Bangladesh’s matches to co-host Sri Lanka, where the India-Pakistan fixture will be held, in line with the mutually agreed hosting arrangements for ICC events until 2027.
In the event Bangladesh withdraws, Scotland is the most likely replacement based on current rankings.
Also read: ICC unwilling to shift Bangladesh games, but BCB refuses to yield
The BCB has proposed alternative solutions, including a change of groups or venues. Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal. During a recent meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB suggested swapping places with Ireland in Group B, which includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe, allowing Bangladesh to be based entirely in Sri Lanka.
“The possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed,” the BCB said in a statement after the meeting.
However, the ICC’s internal risk assessment report does not flag any specific or direct security threat to the Bangladesh team travelling to India.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have come under strain in recent months, particularly following reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which have further complicated the backdrop to the issue.
Senior figures in Bangladesh cricket have urged caution. Former captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto have warned against adopting a rigid stance, stressing that decisions taken now could have long-term consequences for the country’s cricketing future.
Despite multiple rounds of discussions, the ICC has made it clear that a final decision must be communicated by January 21 to avoid disruption to the tournament structure.
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