The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now officially confirmed that they are not part of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The BCB agreed with the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland and admitted that there are no options left to change the situation.
BCB accepts ICC Decision, Bangladesh officially out of T20 World Cup 2026
Earlier on January 24, the ICC announced that Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
They made this decision after Bangladesh continued to refuse travel to India, sticking to safety concerns even though an independent security review found no specific danger to the team and fans.
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Following the shocking announcement, the BCB media committee chairman, Amjad Hossain, explained that the board tried everything possible to solve the issue but finally had to accept the ICC’s stand. Hossain further said that the ICC board took a majority decision and made it clear that the T20 World Cup matches could not be shifted from India.
BCB says all options exhausted as ICC remained firm
Amjad Hossain was quoted as saying by the Times of India, “We have tried our best. We fully respect the ICC Board, and the Board’s majority decision was that the match cannot be relocated.”
The BCB also revealed that even after the ICC first rejected Bangladesh’s request, the board kept trying different ways to find a solution. However, since the ICC was not willing to relocate the matches or change the plan, Bangladesh had no other choice but to withdraw from the moment.
He added, “Even after that, we tried in our own way and made requests. Since they will not do it or do not want to, there is nothing more we can do. We have accepted the ICC Board’s decision, as the ICC has said that we will not be able to go and play, nor can our match be shifted to Sri Lanka.”
No legal fight ahead
Hossain also made it clear that the board will not take the matter further through any legal case, arbitration, or separate process. He added, “In this case, we cannot go to India to play, and our stance remains the same. We are not going into any separate arbitration or any other process here.”
Bangladesh Government’s safety advice forces withdrawal call
He revealed that the Bangladesh government played a major role in the final decision. Hossain shared, “We have spoken with the government. The government has said that going to India to play in the World Cup would not be safe for us, for our players, journalists, or anyone accompanying the team.”
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After receiving this advice, the BCB formally asked the ICC to shift their matches to Sri Lanka. Despite several meetings and discussions, the ICC did not agree to this request. He said, “Since the ICC did not respond, there is not much we can do because this is the government’s decision.”
Bangladesh also tried another option by requesting a move from Group C to Group B at the T20 World Cup, hoping it would help solve the issue. But this request was also rejected. The ICC had already made it clear earlier that if Bangladesh failed to get government clearance to play in India, they would be replaced.
In the end, Bangladesh stayed firm on its safety concerns. Hossain signed off by saying, “Due to security concerns, playing in India is not safe for us, and that is why this decision has been taken.”`
