The standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC has reached a critical breaking point regarding the T20 World Cup 2026. Following a high-level meeting in Dhaka on January 22,  the Bangladesh government and the BCB have doubled down on their refusal to travel to India.

BCB President Aminul Islam has officially accused the ICC of maintaining ‘double standards’ by favoring certain nations while ignoring Bangladesh’s security concerns. Despite an ICC ultimatum, Bangladesh remains steadfast in its demand to play its group matches in Sri Lanka rather than Indian venues. The ICC has now threatened to replace the team entirely, with Scotland standing by as the primary replacement. This conflict marks one of the most significant administrative crises in the history of the T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh’s accusations of double standards and institutional favouritism

BCB President Aminul has effectively accused the ICC of hypocrisy, pointing to the governing body’s accommodation of India’s request to play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan. Aminul argued that if India was given the ‘privilege’ of playing at a neutral venue like Dubai to satisfy their safety concerns, Bangladesh should be afforded the same right for the upcoming World Cup. He noted that the ICC attempted to cite historical forfeitures from 1996 and 2003 to pressure the BCB, but he countered by highlighting the very recent precedent of the ‘Hybrid Model’ used just a year ago. To the BCB, the refusal to move matches to Sri Lanka is a clear sign that the ICC is not applying its rules and flexibility equally across all member nations.

‘The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003 but we pointed out their recent steps in a similar matter. When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organized a neutral venue for them. The team played all their Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played in one ground, staying in one hotel. It was a privilege.’ Aminul was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

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The hybrid model stalemate and the Sri Lankan option

The BCB’s primary request was for the ICC to adopt a hybrid model or reshuffle the groups so that Bangladesh could be based entirely in Sri Lanka. Aminul clarified that although Sri Lanka is a co-host, they are currently functioning as a ‘limited partner’ in the schedule. He emphasized that the Bangladesh government is extremely reluctant to allow the team to step foot in India following the escalating tensions and the controversial removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Despite these pleas, the ICC Board, via a majority vote, rejected the request, stating that altering the schedule so close to the February 7 start date would jeopardize the ‘sanctity of future events.’ Aminul, however, remains defiant, stating that Bangladesh is ready to play, just not in the territory they deem unsafe.

‘We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts but they are not co-hosts. Sri Lanka is part of the hybrid model where one country is going to play. We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant (to let us play in India), we want to take that option. Still, they denied our request. We will communicate with the ICC today. We are ready to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka. We don’t want to play in India.’ Aminul added.

BCB’s open challenge to the ICC’s 24-hour ultimatum for T20 World Cup 2026

As the ICC’s 24-hour deadline for a change of stance has passed, the prospect of Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland has become a reality. Aminul Islam has criticized the ICC for using ‘deadline tactics’ against a cricket-loving nation of 200 million people, warning that excluding Bangladesh would be a failure for the global game. He questioned the ICC’s commitment to growing the sport, especially with cricket’s upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. The BCB chief remains adamant that the board will not give up on playing the World Cup but will continue to fight for a neutral venue, asserting that a global organization cannot force a team into a situation they believe is high-risk.

‘We are proud of Bangladesh cricket, but we are doubtful about world cricket. When cricket’s popularity is in decline, ICC is denying a cricket-loving country of 200 million people. Cricket is going to the Olympics in 2028. India is bidding for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, but it will be their failure if such a country [Bangladesh] is not going to the World Cup. A global organization cannot give a deadline of 24 hours. We will keep fighting.’ Aminul concluded.

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