The Bangladesh Cricket Board vs BCCI feud reached such a height that even the ICC, despite its several attempts, could not resolve the long-standing issues and make the BCB reconsider their plans for the ICC T20 World Cup. A final verdict has been dropped by the Bangladesh government’s sports advisor.
Bangladesh started to disagree with the ICC on the schedule for the ICC T20 World Cup after the Indian board, BCCI, snubbed Mustafizur Rahman of his IPL contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
This decision was made by the BCCI to possibly silence the growing anti-Bangladesh movements in India and the threats issued on the future of the IPL, as well as the KKR owners and their management.
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Bangladesh firm on their stance for the T20 World Cup; ICC negotiations fail
The BCB had clearly mentioned to the ICC that if Bangladesh is to feature in the ICC T20 World Cup, then their matches need to be shifted out of India to some other venues, for which they cited the co-hosts, Sri Lanka, to be ideal.
However, the ICC’s logistical challenges ruled out any such possibility; hence, the BCB suggested swapping groups with Ireland, a team whose matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka. However, the ICC denied those as well and gave an ultimatum to the BCB, asking them to announce their decision by the 21st of January.
However, the Bangladesh government’s sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, has stated that they are not ready to compromise on their stance by any means. He said that BCB is not ready to change its stance of playing T20 World Cup matches only in Sri Lanka.
Hence, with this verdict, it seems evident that no agreement was reached during the meeting between the BCB and ICC officials in Dhaka, where they attempted to settle the issue between the two boards.
JUST IN: Bangladesh government’s sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, has said that they are not ready to change their stance about playing for the T20 World Cup, and want all their games moved to Sri Lanka
No agreement was reached during the meetings between BCB and ICC officials… pic.twitter.com/0QNCJRSUbq
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 20, 2026
“Haven’t heard formally that they will exclude us and take Scotland instead,” BCB denies exclusion warning from ICC
Despite several claims of the ICC having issued an ultimatum to the BCB over the T20 World Cup row, the BCB Bangladesh Sports Advisor has denied any such ultimatum which mentions their exclusion from the upcoming ICC event or being replaced by Scotland.
“We can’t be forced to play in India with unreasonable and unrealistic pressure. Haven’t heard formally that they will exclude us and take Scotland instead,” said Asif Nazrul.
However, he continued saying that if the ICC, being the international body, bows down to the atrocities of the BCCI, then they are not ready to budge an inch, no matter what the consequences of the decision may be.
“If ICC bows to BCCI and puts pressure on us, if they put unrealistic demands, we will not accept. There have been examples where India has refused to travel to Pakistan, ICC changed the venue.”
“We have asked for a venue change, for a logical reason. They can’t force us to play in India by exerting undue and unreasonable pressure,” Nazrul said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Bangladesh matches are scheduled mostly in Kolkata
Bangladesh have been placed in the same group alongside the two-time T20 World Cup-winning sides England and West Indies, in the same group. They also have Italy and Nepal as the minnows in their group.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play their fixtures in Kolkata, and their last match of the group-stage has been scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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