Bangladesh to decide on T20 World Cup participation on January 21
Bangladesh is set to make a final decision on its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by January 21 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) conveyed a deadline to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), according to media reports.
The issue was discussed during the second meeting between ICC officials and the BCB within a week, held in Dhaka on Saturday. During the meeting, the BCB reiterated its willingness to take part in the tournament but requested that its matches be held outside India due to security concerns, proposing co-host Sri Lanka as an alternative venue.
The ICC rejected the request, maintaining that there was no security threat to Bangladesh’s team while touring India and confirmed that Bangladesh would remain in Group C of the tournament. A separate request to swap groups with Ireland and move to Group B was also turned down.
Sources familiar with the matter said the ICC will now wait for the BCB’s final response, and if Bangladesh refuses to travel to India, Scotland is likely to be named as the replacement team based on current international rankings.
The matter has remained unresolved for nearly three weeks after the BCB first formally raised concerns on January 4. With the T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, Bangladesh are currently slated to play their opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group-stage fixtures at the same venue before concluding their group matches in Mumbai.
Tensions escalated after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad on the reported instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), without any official explanation. This was followed by the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the country.
Subsequently, the BCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play World Cup matches in India, a stance it has maintained so far.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is also expected to reassess its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing growing concerns surrounding Bangladesh’s situation. Sources said the Bangladesh government has reached out to Pakistan for support, and Islamabad has backed Dhaka’s security concerns.
Pakistan has stressed that no country should be subjected to pressure or threats and has assured Bangladesh of full diplomatic and moral support over the issue, according to sources.
The ICC is expected to take further steps once Bangladesh communicates its final decision later this week.
