The International Cricket Council (ICC) has firmly declined the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches away from India. The difficulty was discussed during an emergency ICC board meeting, which was attended by representatives from all member nations.
In keeping with the report, the proposal to revise the schedule was put to a vote, and it was overwhelmingly rejected, with 10 of the 12 members voting against the request. Only two members backed Bangladesh’s position, leaving the ICC clear in its stance that the tournament schedule is not going to be altered.
Sources quoted within the report stated that the ICC made it clear the tournament would proceed as planned and that the governing body was “not in favour of adjusting venues at such a late stage.” The choice reflects the ICC’s intent to keep up stability and consistency within the build-up to the worldwide event.
24-Hour Deadline Issued to Bangladesh
Following the rejection, the ICC reportedly issued a strict 24-hour deadline to the BCB to make clear its position on participation. Bangladesh has been asked to formally confirm whether it can play its scheduled matches in India or keep on with its earlier stance of refusing to travel. A source accustomed to the meeting said the ICC “wants clarity immediately to avoid further disruption” to tournament planning.
The report further adds that the ICC warned of significant consequences if Bangladesh doesn’t comply. Tournament preparations, logistics, and broadcast commitments are already underway, and any uncertainty could impact multiple stakeholders. The ICC’s message was described as firm, indicating that “there will likely be no open-ended discussions” on the matter beyond the given deadline.
Scotland Named as Possible Alternative
In a big development, the ICC also discussed contingency plans in case Bangladesh opts out. The report claims that Scotland has been identified as a possible substitute should Bangladesh withdraw from the tournament. A source was quoted as saying, “If Bangladesh refuses to play, Scotland is able to step in.”
This move underlines the ICC’s determination to make sure the sleek conduct of the T20 World Cup 2026, even when it means reshuffling participating teams. While the BCB has not yet released an official response following the meeting, the following 24 hours are expected to be crucial in deciding Bangladesh’s future within the tournament.
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