New DelhiCiting security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside of India. This follows the BCCI's decision to prohibit fast bowlers from participating in the Indian Premier League (). Following harsh criticism, the board requested that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) release him, despite BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioning "recent developments" without providing further details.
If the ICC grants Bangladesh's request, there will be enormous logistical difficulties. The T20 World Cup schedule will be thrown into disarray, which will also cause fans outside of India to have their travel plans disrupted. Bangladesh will currently play one game in Mumbai and three in Kolkata. They have been grouped with Nepal, Italy, England, and the West Indies.
Citing worries about the "safety and well-being" of players in the context of worsening political ties between the two nations, the BCB has made it clear that they will not be sending their cricket team to India for the upcoming World Cup. It makes sense that Mustafizur Rahman's release by KKR on BCCI orders also prompted the action. However, what comes next? What happens if the ICC declines to move Bangladesh's matches from India?
Is it possible for Bangladesh to abstain from the World Cup?Bangladesh has the option to boycott the T20 World Cup, but doing so will have severe consequences. If they withdraw from a global event with less than a month to go, the ICC will punish them severely. If they do withdraw, it will be entirely up to the ICC to decide whether to assign points to Bangladesh's Group C opponents or replace them with a different team.
Most of the time, a new team is added, but the most important question is whether it will be feasible to arrange their travel. The criteria used to select the next best team from the qualifiers will be another crucial question regarding the replacement squad.
It will be more difficult for the ICC to determine the criteria because teams have advanced to the T20 World Cup after competing in their respective regional qualifiers. With precisely 32 days left before the mega event begins, the ICC is expected to formally inform the BCB of their final decision, so the next few days will be crucial.
Additionally, read