ICC gives final ultimatum to Bangladesh amidst T20 World Cup participation row, warns BCB of...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a firm directive to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding its participation in T20 World Cup 2026. Sports Tak has learnt that ICC has rejected BCB's request to relocate Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. The apex cricket council has told BCB to inform the Bangladeshi government that continued refusal to travel to India, which is co-hosting the tournament with Sri Lanka, will result in the team being removed from the competition and getting replaced by another team. BCB now has 24 hours to come up with their final stance on the matter. The ICC reportedly reached this decision following a board vote, making it clear that the tournament schedule will not be restructured to accommodate the team’s security concerns.

ICC gives 24-hour ultimatum to BCB

Understandably, only two votes were in favour of Bangladesh and rest of the 13 were against their request of having their T20 World Cup matches moved to Sri Lanka.

ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, 21 January via video conference, which was convened to discuss the way forward after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had asked that its matches be moved out of India to Sri Lanka.

The decision was reached 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 tournament venues in the country.

It was 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 standoff began after political tensions escalated, leading the BCB to request that its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai be relocated to Sri Lanka. While Bangladesh has even proposed a group swap to avoid Indian venues, the ICC has maintained that independent assessments rate the risk in India as manageable. The pressure is on the BCB to decide whether to participate or forfeit their spot just weeks before the event begins on February 7.

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Scotland to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup?

Should Bangladesh be removed from the tournament, Scotland is the frontrunner to take their place in Group C. Although Scotland failed to qualify through the European regional qualifiers—finishing behind the Netherlands, Italy, and Jersey—they are currently the highest-ranked T20I team not included in the 20-team draw. While Cricket Scotland has noted they have not yet been officially contacted, they have indicated they would be ready to step in if a late call-up occurs to preserve the tournament's competitive balance.