‘Decide by Jan 21’: B’desh’s T20 WC spot in danger after ICC’s ultimatum

new delhi: The ICC has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to decide on its participation in the T20 World Cup in India by January 21 or “risk being replaced by another team” in the tournament beginning February 7.

Despite the back and forth between ICC and BCB, no solution has been found to the crisis that was triggered by the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League on BCCI’s instructions for unspecified “developments all around.”

“The BCB officials have been told to decide on the participation by January 21. If they refuse to travel to India, then they should be ready to be replaced by another team as per rankings,” said an ICC source.

Citing security concerns and national pride, the BCB has announced that its national team won’t be travelling to India for its group games in Kolkata and Mumbai. However, with the event schedule already finalised, the ICC has shown reluctance to shift Bangladesh’s games to co-host Sri Lanka, where the marquee India-Pakistan clash will be held as per the mutually agreed arrangement for ICC events till 2027.

In case Bangladesh continue to be unyielding, the replacement team would most likely be Scotland based on current rankings. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three leagues games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The BCB has remained adamant on either a change of venue or a change of groups to facilitate its games in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C along with West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal. In their last meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB proposed that Bangladesh be swapped with Ireland in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe.