The fate of Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India will be decided today, January 21, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) convenes a board meeting. The ICC’s deadline for resolving the ongoing dispute has now expired, and all eyes are on the decision.
Background of the Controversy
The issue began when Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad during IPL 2026, allegedly due to threats from extremist groups in Bangladesh protesting his presence. Citing player safety, the Bangladesh government directed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to request that their T20 World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. The ICC, however, has stated that match venues cannot be changed for the tournament starting on February 7.
Despite this, Bangladesh has insisted it will only play if matches are moved, otherwise it will skip the tournament. The ICC has warned that if Bangladesh fails to confirm participation today, it may be replaced by Scotland.
Current Status and Reactions
- Bangladesh has already announced its World Cup squad, led by Hindu captain Litton Das, including players such as Mustafizur Rahman, Taijid Hasan, and Shoriful Islam.
- Litton Das has expressed his concerns, stating, “Are you sure we will play in the World Cup? We are not certain ourselves. Answering further is not safe for me.”
- Pakistan has supported Bangladesh’s stance in a letter to ICC, while also clarifying that reports claiming Pakistan may boycott in solidarity are baseless.
- Scotland has indicated that it has not been approached yet by ICC but will respect Bangladesh’s position if asked to replace them.
The ICC board meeting in Dubai today, including Pakistan as a member, is expected to provide clarity on whether Bangladesh will compete in India or be replaced by Scotland.
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