BCB Disputes: Bangladesh Government Blocks T20 World Cup Travel to India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) recently faced a significant setback regarding its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India. Despite expressing a willingness to compete in the tournament, the board was bound by the Bangladesh government’s decision, which denied travel clearance to the national team.

Government’s Stance on Travel to India

BCB director Abdur Razzak stated that government approval is essential for any overseas tour, including World Cup events. He emphasized that the board had consistently shown a desire to participate but had to adhere to governmental directives.

“We have always maintained our readiness to play, but this is the government’s decision. We must comply with their instructions,” Razzak noted during an interview.

Communication with ICC

Amzad Hussain, chairman of the BCB Media Committee, confirmed the board’s acceptance of the ICC’s decision to exclude Bangladesh from the tournament. This came after Bangladesh attempted to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns for players and staff.

• ICC’s decision followed meetings and discussions between BCB representatives and ICC officials.
• The ICC maintained that the tournament schedule could not be altered to accommodate Bangladesh.

Official Withdrawal from the Tournament

On January 24, 2026, the ICC announced the formal replacement of Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament. Scotland was the highest-ranked T20I team that had not originally qualified for the World Cup.

The tournament is set to begin on February 7, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Security Concerns Cited

The Bangladesh government expressed concerns about the safety of the players, officials, and accompanying media personnel. Amzad Hussain highlighted that the security situation in India was deemed unsuitable for the team’s participation.

• The government made its decision following a cabinet meeting after the ICC’s discussions.
• Attempts to ensure safety through multiple meetings with ICC representatives yielded no results.

Due to these persistent concerns, the BCB maintained its position and chose not to pursue further arbitration regarding the matter. The ICC, after reviewing security assessments, found no verifiable threat, but the BCB insisted on prioritizing the safety of its team above all.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, this situation underscores the complex relationship between sports administration, government policies, and player safety concerns. As Bangladesh exits the tournament, it raises questions about future international engagements and travel for sporting events.