Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seeks 48 hours to consult the government on T20 World Cup participation in India after ICC rejects match relocation request and issues ultimatum, warning Bangladesh could be replaced by Scotland if a decision is delayed.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested a 48-hour window from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consult with the Bangladesh government before making a final decision on participating in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from February 7 to March 8.
According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, senior BCB officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the request came shortly after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s proposal to relocate their World Cup matches outside India. The proposal reportedly received limited support during a virtual ICC Board meeting attended by representatives of 16 member nations, with the Pakistan Cricket Board being the only major ally backing Bangladesh’s position.
The ICC, however, has set a strict deadline for Bangladesh to confirm their participation. The governing body has reportedly given the BCB just 24 hours to communicate whether the national team will travel to India for the tournament. Failure to comply could result in Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the competition, a move that would significantly alter the tournament’s dynamics and qualification structure.
A BCB official told Telecom Asia Sport that both the players and the government are keen on Bangladesh participating in the global event. However, concerns regarding player safety in India remain central to the board’s hesitation.
“The Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh government also wants us to participate. But we do not believe that India is completely safe for our players at this moment,” the official said. “We requested the ICC to shift our matches to Sri Lanka or allow us to switch groups with teams like Ireland or Zimbabwe. That would have been the simplest solution, but Sri Lanka did not agree to accommodate a new team in their group.”
During the ICC Board meeting, Bangladesh sought a final opportunity to brief the government on the outcome of the vote and the broader situation. “After the vote, we asked for one last chance to consult our government. The ICC acknowledged that it was a valid request and allowed us 24 to 48 hours to get back to them,” the official added.
BCB sources emphasized that the board does not want to exert undue pressure on the government while making such a sensitive decision. “We understand that the ICC has denied our request. Still, we will speak to the government once again, present the feedback from the ICC, and then formally respond,” the official said.
The report further quoted the source as stating that the government’s decision-making process extends beyond cricketing considerations alone. “A government does not only assess the well-being of players. It considers diplomatic, political, and security factors before reaching any conclusion,” the official explained.
The standoff follows a series of discussions between BCB and ICC officials held in Dhaka over the weekend. Despite multiple rounds of talks, no breakthrough was achieved. The BCB’s concerns intensified after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the IPL 2026 season. The move reportedly came amid ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
The decision regarding Mustafizur Rahman is believed to have heightened apprehensions within the BCB about the broader implications for Bangladeshi players traveling to India during a major international tournament.
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Sources claim that BCB officials have already communicated the latest developments to senior government authorities in Bangladesh. The board is now awaiting clear directives before submitting its final response to the ICC within the stipulated deadline.
As the clock ticks down, Bangladesh faces a crucial crossroads. Participation in the T20 World Cup would ensure continuity in international cricket and uphold competitive integrity, while withdrawal could set a precedent with far-reaching consequences for future tournaments. The next 48 hours are expected to be decisive, not only for Bangladesh cricket but also for the overall structure of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
