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Bangladesh takes action against ICC [Source: @LoyleRohitFan/X.com]
With less than three weeks to go for the T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC has found itself battling off-field turbulence instead of focusing purely on cricket. What was meant to be a routine final round of discussions with the BCB has turned into a diplomatic puzzle.
A visa issue involving a senior ICC official has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s schedule and participation.
ICC official denied visa for Bangladesh visit
In a recent development, a senior ICC executive of Indian nationality, who was scheduled to travel to Dhaka as part of a two-member delegation, has been denied a visa.
The ICC had planned to send its Head of Anti-Corruption and Security, Andrew Ephgrave, along with the executive, to hold final talks with the BCB over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.
However, local media reports suggest the Indian official failed to secure a visa on time, forcing Ephgrave to travel alone on January 17.
The ICC has not issued any comments on the issue, although this situation has definitely aggravated the already tense political atmosphere between the two countries.
With negotiations now resting solely on Ephgrave’s shoulders, the visit has taken on added significance.
Pakistan-origin players' visa delays add to World Cup drama
The visa complication involving the ICC official is not an isolated case. Earlier, reports had emerged of Pakistan-origin players such as the USA’s Ali Khan, England’s Rashid Khan, and others who were facing delays in obtaining Indian visas for T20 World Cup-related travel.
While the BCCI later clarified that the process was underway, the delay raised eyebrows. In India, any person with ties to Pakistan has to obtain a visa directly from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Hence, the background verification process takes longer than usual visa processing. However, when the political climate is already on the boil, these issues were blown out of proportion, with some again accusing India of bringing politics into cricket.
These issues have reinforced fears that administrative and diplomatic hurdles could disrupt preparations for a global event.
With teams, officials, and broadcasters moving across borders in an extremely short period of time, even minor delays have the potential to snowball into larger logistical problems.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup standoff with India
At the centre of the current crisis lies Bangladesh’s firm stance on security concerns. The Bangladesh government and the BCB have formally requested that their group-stage matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing worries over player safety amid the prevailing political environment.
The ICC, however, is keen to stick to the original schedule. It is expected that Andrew Ephgrave will draw up a security plan which will reassure Bangladesh that their players and officials would get sufficient security in India.
As a former British police officer with extensive experience in sports security, Ephgrave’s role is seen as crucial in breaking the deadlock.
With the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7, time is fast running out. Failure to reach a compromise could put the tournament’s credibility at risk even before the first ball is bowled.
