ICC Rejects BCB’s Relocation Request, Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum for T20 World Cup Participation

In a decisive move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate its matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, issuing a 24-hour ultimatum for the team to confirm their participation in India or face replacement.

The ICC Board held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, where all but two members Pakistan and Bangladesh voted against shifting Bangladesh’s matches. The council has now given the BCB until Thursday to decide whether they will travel to India for the tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8. Should they refuse, Scotland are poised to replace them in Group C.

An ICC statement clarified that the decision followed a review of all security assessments, including independent evaluations, which found “no credible threat” to Bangladesh’s players, officials, media, or fans at any tournament venues in India. The council also dismissed BCB’s attempt to link pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exclusion to security concerns, calling it an “isolated and unrelated development.”

Bangladesh had proposed swapping groups with Ireland, who play all their matches in Sri Lanka, but Cricket Ireland had already received assurances from the ICC that their schedule would remain unchanged.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata (against West Indies, Italy, and England) and one in Mumbai (against Nepal). The BCB now has hours to consult its government and make a final call, with their World Cup future hanging in the balance.

                                               

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