English
English
English
ICC has given Bangladesh just one day to decide- travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup or risk being replaced. With Scotland on standby, will Bangladesh hold its ground or make a last-minute U-turn?
ICC Says No Change In T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a strong warning to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), moving closer to replacing Bangladesh in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup if the team refuses to travel to India. The issue was discussed at a high-level ICC board meeting attended by representatives from all Full Member nations, signalling the seriousness of the standoff.
The meeting included ICC chair Jay Shah, BCB president Aminul Islam, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, and senior officials from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan. Senior ICC executives and two Associate Member directors were also present.
Virat Kohli loses number 1 spot in ICC ODI rankings; Know which player DETHRONED him
At the heart of the dispute is Bangladesh’s continued reluctance to confirm travel to India for their scheduled matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh have been placed in Group C and are slated to play three matches in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14, followed by a fourth fixture in Mumbai on February 17.
Despite repeated discussions, the BCB has not yet provided formal confirmation, raising concerns over tournament scheduling and logistics.
According to reports, the ICC has now told the BCB that the situation has reached a critical juncture. The Bangladesh government has been asked to be briefed on the matter, with the ICC making it clear that refusal to travel to India would result in Bangladesh being replaced in the tournament.
This proposal was put to a vote during the board meeting, where a majority of ICC directors supported the option of replacing Bangladesh if their stance does not change. The BCB has been given a final window of one day to respond and clarify whether the team will participate under the existing schedule.
ICC issues final warning to Bangladesh Cricket Board over T20 World Cup; Sets deadline
If Bangladesh ultimately declines to take part, Scotland is the leading candidate to replace them in Group C. Although Scotland failed to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup through the European Qualifier finishing behind the Netherlands, Italy and Jersey—they could gain entry due to the exceptional circumstances.
The ICC’s firm stance underscores its intent to protect the integrity and smooth conduct of the tournament. With the countdown to the 2026 T20 World Cup underway, the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether Bangladesh remains part of the global event or is replaced at the last moment.
