Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 has hit a roadblock after the ICC rejected their request to shift matches from India, citing no safety concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) now has 24 to 48 hours to communicate its final decision to the ICC. Ahead of this, government sports advisor Asif Nazrul plans to meet the team to understand the players’ stance before announcing the official decision. Here’s the latest in five key points:
1. Meeting with Players Today at 3 PM
Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul will meet the team at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on Thursday, January 22, at 3 PM. The meeting aims to explain the government’s position and gauge the players’ views. According to Cricbuzz, this discussion will influence the government’s final decision on the team’s participation. Team captain Liton Das had earlier stated that players had received no direct communication from either the board or the government on this issue.
2. Bangladesh Board Maintains Safety Concerns
The BCB remains firm that playing in India is unsafe, following the ICC’s refusal to shift matches to Sri Lanka. BCB President Aminul Islam said, “We must consult our government before making any decision. The ICC has given us 24 to 48 hours. We remain steadfast that India is unsafe for our players, and we prefer our matches to be held in Sri Lanka.”
3. Hope for a Last-Minute Miracle
Despite the ICC’s rejection, BCB is still hoping for a miracle. Islam added, “Our players want to participate, and the government wants Bangladesh to play. But the safety of our players is paramount. Any decision must consider the interests of all Bangladeshi cricket fans.”
4. Pakistan Expresses Disappointment
Pakistan expressed disappointment at ICC’s decision not to accommodate Bangladesh but clarified it will not boycott the T20 World Cup. Senior sources from the Pakistan Cricket Board told Telecom Asia, “Pakistan supported Bangladesh on principle. India had moved its matches with Pakistan to Dubai for similar reasons, but ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request. It is disappointing.”
5. ICC Voting Outcome
The ICC board meeting, held via video conference, included all 16 member countries. Only BCB President Aminul Islam represented Bangladesh. Bangladesh proposed regrouping to play all matches in Sri Lanka with Ireland or Zimbabwe, but the board rejected this request. During voting, only Bangladesh and Pakistan voted in favor of shifting the matches; all other members voted against. Following this, ICC issued an ultimatum to Bangladesh to finalize its decision.