Bangladesh at T20 World Cup, LIVE Updates: The Bangladesh Cricket Council (BCB) is in talks with the players and the government, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has given them a 1-day ultimatum to decide whether they’ll play the T20 World Cup 2026 in India or get replaced with another team in Group C.
The BCB has repeatedly cited fear for the safety of players in India as the reason behind not allowing them to travel, and it looks unlikely that they’ll change that stance.
Bangladesh at T20 World Cup, LIVE Updates
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Bangladesh player not safe in India!
22/01/2026 16:45
Claiming that ICC can't guarantee the safety of even Mustafizur Rahman, BCB President Aminul Islam has said this.
"We all want to play the World Cup. The security issue remains intact for our players and contingent in India. It started with one player getting kicked out from their players. ICC can say whatever they want that there's no security concern. But our player has been kicked out from their tournament. That country is hosting the world cup. What has changed since then? If Mustafizur can't be provided security, how can we be convinced that ICC will give security?
Whatever I communicate will players, that is a private communication. I won't say anything they told us. The purpose of the meeting was to know what they want. I don't want to our players under risk. We want to play the World Cup but not in India but in Sri Lanka," BCB President said.
"We all want to play the World Cup. The security issue remains intact for our players and contingent in India. It started with one player getting kicked out from their players. ICC can say whatever they want that there's no security concern. But our player has been kicked out from their tournament. That country is hosting the world cup. What has changed since then? If Mustafizur can't be provided security, how can we be convinced that ICC will give security?
Whatever I communicate will players, that is a private communication. I won't say anything they told us. The purpose of the meeting was to know what they want. I don't want to our players under risk. We want to play the World Cup but not in India but in Sri Lanka," BCB President said.
BCB gives statement
22/01/2026 16:38
The BCB meeting has ended. And the conclusion is that Bangladesh won't travel to India. They'll pull out of the T20 World Cup but will not play in India. BCB is still hopeful that ICC will reschdule their matches.
"ICC had denied us our request to shift our matches away from India.
We are not sure about the status of world cricket. It's popularity is going down. They have locked away 200 million people. Cricket is going to Olympics but if a country like us is not going there, it is ICC's failure.
We will keep fighting. There were some shocking calls in the ICC Board Meeting. The Mustafizur issue is not isolated single issue. They (India) were the sole decision makers in that issue."
"ICC had denied us our request to shift our matches away from India.
We are not sure about the status of world cricket. It's popularity is going down. They have locked away 200 million people. Cricket is going to Olympics but if a country like us is not going there, it is ICC's failure.
We will keep fighting. There were some shocking calls in the ICC Board Meeting. The Mustafizur issue is not isolated single issue. They (India) were the sole decision makers in that issue."
BCB's response to ICC
22/01/2026 16:21
This is what BCB President Aminul Islam said yesterday:
“I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC. Who doesn’t want to play the World Cup? We can’t really comment after the ICC’s press release. The meeting went on for an hour and a half. We explained to the ICC board the reasons for our decision before the voting began. We didn’t want to go into voting. We stepped back.
The Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh government wants Bangladesh to play the World Cup. But we don’t think India is safe for our players. We asked them to shift the matches to Sri Lanka. We said that we can switch with Ireland or Zimbabwe. It would have been the easiest way. But Sri Lanka said that we don’t want a new team in our group. After the vote, I told them that I want one last chance to tell my government. They said it’s a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them.
I don’t want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us, but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the government’s feedback to the ICC. A government doesn’t only consider the players, but they consider all, when it takes a decision.”
“I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC. Who doesn’t want to play the World Cup? We can’t really comment after the ICC’s press release. The meeting went on for an hour and a half. We explained to the ICC board the reasons for our decision before the voting began. We didn’t want to go into voting. We stepped back.
The Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh government wants Bangladesh to play the World Cup. But we don’t think India is safe for our players. We asked them to shift the matches to Sri Lanka. We said that we can switch with Ireland or Zimbabwe. It would have been the easiest way. But Sri Lanka said that we don’t want a new team in our group. After the vote, I told them that I want one last chance to tell my government. They said it’s a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them.
I don’t want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us, but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the government’s feedback to the ICC. A government doesn’t only consider the players, but they consider all, when it takes a decision.”
Players speak
22/01/2026 16:04
According to ESPNcricinfo, players have informed the BCB that they want to play the T20 World Cup. Now the balls in BCB's court.
Why ICC shot down BCB's group swap suggestion
22/01/2026 15:50
BCB had suggested swapping groups with Zimbabwe or Ireland, which would mean that they play their group stage matches in Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka didn't want that to happen, since they were already prepared for tackling these opponents.
That's why ICC shot down BCB's idea. The whole issue would have ended if Sri Lanka agreed but that didn't happen.
"We asked them to shift the matches to Sri Lanka. We said that we can switch with Ireland or Zimbabwe. It would have been the easiest way. But Sri Lanka said that we don’t want a new team in our group," BCB President Aminul Islam said yesterday.
That's why ICC shot down BCB's idea. The whole issue would have ended if Sri Lanka agreed but that didn't happen.
"We asked them to shift the matches to Sri Lanka. We said that we can switch with Ireland or Zimbabwe. It would have been the easiest way. But Sri Lanka said that we don’t want a new team in our group," BCB President Aminul Islam said yesterday.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
22/01/2026 15:40
Bangladesh are slated to play 3 group-stage matches in Kolkata and 1 in Mumbai.
| Date | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 7, 2026 | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Mon, Feb 9, 2026 | Bangladesh vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, Feb 14, 2026 | England vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Tue, Feb 17, 2026 | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
How will withdrawing impact Bangladesh?
22/01/2026 15:30
Bangladesh and all other teams are expected to receive a participation fee of $300,000 (INR 2.74 crore). BCB won't get that money if they don't play. ICC will most likely impose a fine on them as well.
That's why BCB are holding discussions despite previously being adamant about not travelling to India.
That's why BCB are holding discussions despite previously being adamant about not travelling to India.
PCB lend support
22/01/2026 15:20
According to Geo News, Pakistan will consider withdrawing from the T20 World Cup if the ICC replaces Bangladesh. One can't forget that Pakistan and Bangladesh have the biggest fan bases outside of India, and ICC will suffer losses if both don't play.
Mahedi Hasan speaks on BCB meeting
22/01/2026 15:10
‘No discussion has taken place yet. Only every player who is in the T20 World Cup squad has been individually texted about a meeting. We will understand what the mystery is when we go there.’
‘Look, as a player, who wouldn't want to play in the World Cup? Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. But this is entirely the board's decision. The government also has a say. They are, in fact, our guardians. I think that as players, we should do whatever they tell us.’
‘Look, as a player, who wouldn't want to play in the World Cup? Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. But this is entirely the board's decision. The government also has a say. They are, in fact, our guardians. I think that as players, we should do whatever they tell us.’
Bangladesh at T20 World Cup, LIVE Updates
22/01/2026 15:01
The BCB was to hold a meeting at 2.30 PM IST to hold one last discussion regarding Bangladesh's travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026.
The players have been called to the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka and will talk with Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul.
Nazrul had discussions with BCB yesterday and has been discussing the matter with the Bangladesh government as well.
The players have been called to the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka and will talk with Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul.
Nazrul had discussions with BCB yesterday and has been discussing the matter with the Bangladesh government as well.
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