A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – specifically on the tour to India – is expected by January 21, following discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Dhaka on Saturday.
During the second meeting between the two sides in a week, BCB expressed interest in participating in the tournament, but preferred to play its matches outside India citing security reasons.
Co-host Sri Lanka was proposed as an alternate venue.
However, the ICC will remain unchanged from its original tournament schedule, with Bangladesh placed in Group C.
The issue has remained unresolved for nearly three weeks after the PCB formally conveyed its concerns on January 4.
With the T20 World Cup set to begin on February 7, Bangladesh are currently set to play their opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group matches at the same venue before concluding the group-stage matches in Mumbai.
It is learned that the ICC rejected the BCB’s request to move Bangladesh to Group B instead of Ireland, where the group matches will be played in Sri Lanka.
The ICC has reportedly assured the PCB that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team in India.
India’s overall threat level is classified as medium to high, according to an independent security agency’s advisory to the 20 participating groups, although no direct or specific threat to any of the visiting groups has been identified.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the ICC is awaiting a final decision from the PCB.
If Bangladesh ultimately declines to travel to India, the ICC is expected to nominate a replacement team, with Scotland next in line based on the current rankings.
Controversy arose when Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad without any official explanation on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The development was followed by the Bangladesh government banning IPL broadcasts in the country, after which the PCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India – a position it has maintained ever since.