The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a firm ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), warning that the national team must travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup or face replacement.
During a decisive board meeting on Wednesday, ICC directors voted in favour of appointing a replacement team should Bangladesh refuse to participate in the host nation.
The BCB has been given a final 24-hour window to consult with the government and confirm its stance.
If Bangladesh declines, Scotland is expected to take its place in Group C, despite failing to qualify directly through the European Qualifiers.
The decision to potentially replace Bangladesh was made by a majority vote, including members from all Full Member nations, such as ICC Chair Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
This comes despite a late diplomatic intervention from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which formally backed Bangladesh’s security concerns in India.
The dispute centres on Bangladesh’s refusal to play group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing political tensions and potential safety risks.
An independent risk assessment reviewed by the ICC indicated that while the overall threat level in India is “moderate-high,” there is no evidence of a direct threat to participating teams.
With the T20 World Cup set to begin on 7 February, the ICC has rejected proposals to reschedule matches or move them to a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka.
The cricketing world now awaits Bangladesh’s final decision, which will determine whether the Tigers take the field or forfeit their spot in the tournament.
