T20 World Cup 2026: Despite strict warning from ICC, Bangladesh Cricket Board has reiterated its decision of not playing in India and said that their matches should be shifted to Sri Lanka.
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T20 World Cup 2026: The ongoing controversy regarding T20 World Cup 2026 is not showing any signs of stopping. Adamant on not playing in India, Bangladesh has announced to boycott the T20 World Cup. After voting, the ICC had rejected Bangladesh’s demand to shift the matches outside India and had given one day’s time to BCB to take a decision. After this, the Bangladesh government has refused to send the team to India citing security and political circumstances.
ICC had rejected Bangladesh’s demand and said that if BCB refused to play in India, then considering the current ranking, Scotland could be given a place. After ICC’s strict action, now all eyes were on Bangladesh, which was not desisting from spreading the false illusion that players in India are in danger. BCB had been pressurizing ICC for the last several days to shift their matches to Sri Lanka instead of Kolkata and Mumbai, but ICC rejected this demand and said that after all the preparations are done, it is not possible to shift the matches to another place.
Bangladesh angry at ICC
Whereas Bangladesh was adamant on its demand that it would not play its matches in India. Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul blamed the ICC on the whole issue and said that keeping in mind the safety of its players, the decision has been taken not to participate in the World Cup. Nazrul said that Bangladesh will not bow down to any pressure and on this issue, the government, the board and the players – all three are unanimous that we should not send the team to India for the World Cup. Nazrul said that the ICC has not done justice to Bangladesh and has ignored the concerns regarding the safety of the players.
What will ICC do now?
Despite strict warning from ICC, Bangladesh Cricket Board has reiterated its decision not to play in India and said that their matches should be shifted to Sri Lanka. However, ICC has already made it clear that if Bangladesh does not play, then another team (possibly Scotland) will get a chance in their place.
Now everyone’s eyes are on the next step of ICC and what decision the biggest organization of cricket takes on this. At the same time, it also has to be seen that if Bangladesh does not play in the World Cup, it can have far reaching consequences and the Bangladesh Cricket Board may also have to suffer financial loss.
Also read: T20 WC 2026: Bangladesh boycotts T20 World Cup, team will not play in India, big decision of BAN government
Demand to change group was also rejected
Bangladesh had also demanded to change the group of Ireland, on which it was made clear by the Ireland Cricket Board that they will remain in their group and ICC has assured them for this. ICC had also rejected this demand. In such a situation, Bangladesh did not have many options. When voting took place on Wednesday, apart from Pakistan, no member country supported Bangladesh’s demand and thus Bangladesh’s demand was rejected by a margin of 14-2.
Why did the controversy start regarding T20 World Cup?
Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise KKR on the instructions of BCCI. KKR had bought Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore. After the current violent incidents in Bangladesh, there was opposition in India against the cricketers from there playing in IPL and BCCI was also being criticized for this, after which it was decided to release Rahman from the team. After this decision of KKR, Bangladesh government banned the telecast of IPL and also announced that it will not send its team to India for the World Cup.
There were matches against Bangladesh in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Bangladesh has to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Along with Bangladesh, there are teams of England, Italy, West Indies and Nepal in the group. Bangladesh’s matches are to be played with West Indies, Italy and England on 7, 9 and 14 February. And on 17th February it faces Nepal in Mumbai.
What will be Pakistan’s next step?
Now, after several days of deadlock, Bangladesh has finally announced to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026. In such a situation, it has to be seen what Pakistan’s stand is. There were also reports in the Pakistani media that if Bangladesh’s demands were not met, the PCB might reconsider sending the team for the World Cup. Pakistan was constantly in favor of shifting Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, let us tell you that all the matches of Pakistan are to be played in Sri Lanka. In such a situation, there does not seem to be any valid reason for Pakistan to boycott the tournament, yet in view of the recent developments, eyes are kept on Pakistan’s move.
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