Take a decision in two days, otherwise we will expel Bangladesh from ICC bluntly! This team may get a chance

ICC on Bangladesh Demand: Bangladesh’s persistent insistence on not coming to India to play the T20 World Cup may prove costly for them. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that if they refuse to go to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, then European team Scotland may get a chance in their place.

According to ESPNcricinfo, ICC has given BCB time till January 21 to give consent for the trip to India. If they do not do so, Scotland could be given their place, as Scotland have a better current T20I ranking.

BCB’s demand: shift the match out of India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is against hosting the T20 World Cup in India and is demanding that their matches be shifted out of India, specifically to co-host Sri Lanka. The ICC, however, has said that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladeshi team or any particular team in India.

Security agency’s assessment and ICC’s response

According to the report, an independent security agency had rated the threat level in India as ‘medium to high’, but the ICC clarified to the BCB that this level is not for any particular team, but based on the general risk. BCB had also suggested changing the group with Ireland, as Ireland would play all its group stage matches in Sri Lanka. But ICC rejected this proposal also. This dispute between BCB and ICC has now reached its third week. Bangladesh has to play its three group stage matches in Kolkata and the fourth in Mumbai, which will start from February 7.

Mustafizur Rahman’s release in IPL

BCB’s security concerns grew after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 squad. He was bought last year for Rs 9.2 crore. Neither BCCI nor KKR clarified the reason for this, but BCCI hinted at the growing anti-Bangladeshi sentiment in India.

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BCB also had to face internal opposition

The BCB also faced some opposition from within, with former cricketers suggesting a diplomatic solution rather than outright refusal to travel. Recently, a board official said in an insulting tone that if BCB does not participate in the World Cup, they will not suffer any loss and the players will also not get any compensation, due to which the players went on strike, later the matter was resolved.