Last Updated on 3 months ago by Charbel Coorey
The International Cricket Council (ICC) board voted to replace Bangladesh if they choose not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup.
Earlier this month, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested for their matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. However, the ICC has stood firm, stating there is no threat to any of the Bangladeshi travelling contingent, as well as the fact it is too close to the tournament to make major changes.
“The decision was taken after considering all security assessments conducted, including independent reviews, all of which indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, media persons, officials and fans at any of the tournament venues in India,” the ICC said in a statement, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“The ICC Board noted that it was not feasible to make changes so close to the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events and undermine its neutrality as a global governing body.
“The ICC management also engaged in a series of correspondences and meetings with the BCB in a bid to resolve the impasse, sharing detailed information on the event security plan, including layered federal and state law-enforcement support.”
On January 4, the BCB wrote to the ICC to state they won’t travel to India due to security concerns. The ICC confirmed it was in relation to the release of Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad at the request of the BCCI.
“Despite these efforts [security assessments, comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from the host authorities], the BCB maintained its position, repeatedly linking its participation in the tournament to a single, isolated and unrelated development concerning one of its player’s involvement in a domestic league.
“This linkage has no bearing on the tournament’s security framework or the conditions governing participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
Debates: Were the ICC right in their stance on Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
The directors of all Full Member nations were present at the board meeting. 14 voted in favour of keeping Bangladesh’s matches in India. Pakistan was the only nation to support Bangladesh’s stance.
Arguments/reactions against the ICC’s decision
Fans against the ICC’s decision pointed to how India were able to play in Dubai in last year’s Champions Trophy that was hosted by Pakistan.
“I understand all situations are different. But India refusing to travel to Pakistan for CT 2025 and the ICC creating a hybrid model to work around. Compared to Bangladesh refusing to travel to India and the ICC saying put up or get booted – has made me sad,” wrote journalist Cameron Ponsonby on X (formerly Twitter).
Arguments for the ICC’s decision
Those for the ICC’s decision support the notion that it is too difficult to make such significant logistical changes this late in the piece. Also, there is the view that Bangladesh left it too late to request for their matches to be moved out of India compared to the 2025 Champions Trophy where India said they wouldn’t travel to Pakistan months in advance.
Bangladesh must make their final decision by today (Thursday January 22). If they opt out of the tournament, Scotland will replace them.
