Overview:
ICC is likely to replace Bangladesh with Scotland.
Bangladesh Cricket Board is not ready to change its stance of not playing its ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, despite knowing the fact that it could result in the country’s removal from the tournament. Bangladesh spoke about boycotting the tournament following a meeting involving BCB officials, top players and the sports adviser, Asif Nazrul.
Bangladesh’s decision comes a day after the International Cricket Council rejected their request to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. The ICC didn’t accept BCB’s concerns, saying there was no security threat for the visiting players in India.
According to India Today, Bangladesh were given a day to consult with the government and reconsider its position on play in India.
Despite the warning, the BCB said that its concerns over security were not addressed. Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul levelled serious allegations, saying ICC hasn’t treated Bangladesh fairly. “The ICC hasn’t done justice. We will not bow down. Everyone should know what it means if Bangladesh is not a part of the World Cup. We can’t give up on the security of our players at any cost,” he said.
Asif mentioned their security concerns are not just assumptions. He highlighted the BCCI’s move to end Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL contract.
“The security risk hasn’t changed. These are not assumptions. One of our players was removed from the IPL under pressure from extremists. The ICC tournament is being held in the same country. The ICC may say there are no threats, but the ICC is not a country. The country where security was not provided to one of my players, where the Indian cricket board is an extended arm of the government, was unwilling to protect him, and is the same country hosting the tournament. The responsibility for the security of the players is in the hands of that country’s security agencies.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Animul Islam Bulbul is still hopeful of the ICC reconsidering its stance. “We will look to put our concern across once again. If a cricket-loving country like us is left out, it would be a failure for the hosts. We are not giving up,” he said. ICC is likely to replace Bangladesh with Scotland.