BCB to make final call on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup participation on Jan 21

A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 — particularly regarding travel to India — is expected by January 21, following discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka on Saturday.

During the meeting, the second between the two sides in a week, the BCB reiterated its willingness to compete in the tournament but expressed a preference for playing its matches outside India, citing security concerns.

Sri Lanka, the co-host nation, was proposed as a possible alternative venue.

However, the ICC maintained its position that the original tournament schedule would remain unchanged, with Bangladesh placed in Group C.

The issue has remained unresolved for nearly three weeks after the BCB first formally conveyed its 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 West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group games at the same venue, before concluding their group-stage fixtures in Mumbai.

It is understood that the ICC also rejected the BCB’s request to move Bangladesh to Group B in place of Ireland, whose group matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. 

The ICC reportedly assured the BCB that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team in India.

According to an advisory issued to the 20 participating teams by an independent security agency, India’s overall threat level has been classified as medium to high, though no direct or specific threat has been identified against any visiting team.

Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the ICC is awaiting a final decision from the BCB. 

Should Bangladesh ultimately decline to travel to India, the ICC is expected to nominate a replacement team, with Scotland next in line based on current rankings.

The dispute traces back to the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), without any official explanation.

This development was followed by the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the IPL in the country, after which the BCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India — a position it has maintained since.