Bangladesh at Risk of Missing T20 World Cup After ICC Gives Strict Ultimatum
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding its noncompliance to participate in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in India. As per ESPNcricinfo, the ICC has given BCB a deadline of January 21 to consent to traveling, or else the latter will be substituted by Scotland, with the European side entering through the current men’s T20I rankings. The communication is believed to have been done during a meeting between the two entities held in Dhaka on Saturday.
BCB pushes for Sri Lanka relocation citing security alerts
The BCB has once again asserted its plea to relocate its games, due to security concerns being the main reason for the request, to Sri Lanka the co-host, if possible. An independent security firm’s warning sent to all 20 participating teams put the threat level in India on a ‘medium to high band’, according to the report. However, the ICC notified the BCB that there was no particular security risk directed towards the Bangladeshi team or any other team that would be playing its games in India.
Deadlock continues as ICC denies BCB request to exchange groups with Ireland
It is reported that the ICC has snubbed an idea by the BCB to swap groups with Ireland, whose group stage matches are all taking place in Sri Lanka. The deadlock between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and ICC had stretched out to its third week now. Hence, the Bangladeshi team has to be present in India for the group stage, their matches will be played in Kolkata and Mumbai, starting from the first day, February 7.
BCB alarm raised after BCCI instructs KKR to part ways with Mustafizur Rahman
The security issues of BCB were triggered when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL 2026 roster though he was signed for a whopping Rs. 9.2 crore deal in the auction last year. Although KKR and BCCI didn’t provide a reason for the directive explicitly, the latter indicated the increasing anti-Bangladeshi feeling in India.
BCB turmoil intensifies amid internal criticism and player backlash
The BCB has been facing some oppositions from within the board a some former players have been suggesting that it is better to get a diplomatic solution rather than going for a total rejections. The situation has got more complicated when a board official, in a derogatory manner, claimed that the BCB won’t lose any money if it doesn’t participate in the World Cup and won’t pay the players either which led to a players’ strike preceding a long and tough resolution process.