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BCB officially refutes ICC's India ultimatum; T20 World Cup 2026 participation hangs

Akshita Patel

BCB rejects reports of ICC's ultimatum [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]BCB rejects reports of ICC's ultimatum [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The BCB has strongly denied an ESPNcricinfo report that claimed the ICC had told Bangladesh to either travel to India for the T20 World Cup or risk forfeiting points. A senior BCB official called the report incorrect and misleading and said no such ultimatum was given by the ICC.

According to the official, the ICC responded to Bangladesh’s concerns via email and not through a virtual meeting, as reported. 

Bangladesh release official statement on T20 World Cup 2026

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches. In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament," BCB said in an official statement.

"The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event," the statement further read.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, the statement from BCB communicated

He added that the ICC did not mention any threat of forfeiting points and that the BCB would soon issue a formal media release to clarify its position.

Conflicting reports create confusion

The controversy comes after Bangladesh requested that its T20 World Cup matches be shifted out of India, citing security concerns. The tournament is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

While the BCB insists no ultimatum was issued, ESPNcricinfo reported that during a virtual call on Tuesday, the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request and told them they must travel to India or face the risk of losing points. 

This has led to confusion, as neither the ICC nor the BCCI has released an official statement about the outcome of that discussion.

Reports also say the ICC has asked the BCB to clearly explain its security concerns in writing. This suggests that discussions are still ongoing and that no final decision has been taken yet. 

Bangladesh is scheduled to play its first three group matches in Kolkata against the West Indies, Italy, and England before playing Nepal in Mumbai. 

Uncertainty only worsened as the ICC seems to have kept mum on the issue. With the tournament less than a month away, players, officials, and fans are still waiting for clarity on whether Bangladesh will travel to India or not.

Mustafizur Rahman's row adds fuel to the fire

The issue has grown bigger after the controversy involving fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The Bangladeshi pacer was acquired by KKR in the IPL 2026 auction for a price of INR 9.2 crores.

However, he was later withdrawn from the tournament after the BCCI asked KKR to release him. This decision reportedly angered the BCB, as Mustafizur was the only Bangladesh player picked in the auction. 

Following the development, Bangladesh decided not to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup and also banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country.

What has raised more questions is that the IPL Governing Council is understood not to have met to discuss Mustafizur’s case. 

The Mustafizur episode appears to be a major trigger behind Bangladesh’s security concerns and its request to shift World Cup matches.

With tensions rising and conflicting reports in the media, the situation remains unclear. In the short term, the BCB is of the opinion that no ultimatum has been issued and that negotiations are still ongoing with the ICC.