A major controversy has erupted in international cricket as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has declared that its national team will not travel to India to play in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing security concerns and political tensions — a stance that has thrown the tournament’s preparations into uncertainty.

What the T20 World Cup Is

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is a global cricket tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, running from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Twenty national teams compete in group and knockout stages across venues in both countries.

Bangladesh’s Refusal: What’s Happening?

BCB Says No to India

Bangladesh has formally stated that it will not send its team to India for the tournament. Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul and BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul reiterated that the national team is willing to participate in the World Cup only if its matches are moved to co-host Sri Lanka.

Nazrul described the ICC’s position as “unreasonable” and said Bangladesh will not be coerced into playing in India despite safety concerns. He stressed that the Bangladesh government has taken this as a matter of national duty.

Why Bangladesh Objects

Security Concerns

Bangladesh’s core stated reason is security for its players, officials, journalists and fans. BCB leaders point to the removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) — allegedly due to security issues — as evidence that assurances from Indian authorities are insufficient.

Nazrul has asserted that the Indian government failed to provide real assurances or communicate effectively with Dhaka, leaving Bangladesh unconvinced about safety.

Bangladesh’s Arguments on Fair Treatment

The BCB has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of double standards, saying that India was afforded venue changes in past tournaments (such as the Champions Trophy) when security concerns arose, but Bangladesh is not being granted similar consideration.

Bangladesh argues that Sri Lanka is a feasible co-host location for its fixtures given the hybrid hosting arrangement for this tournament.

ICC’s Response

Security Assessments Rejected

The ICC has firmly rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate its World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, saying independent security assessments show no credible threat to the squad at Indian venues, which include Kolkata and Mumbai.

The governing body also stressed that altering scheduled venues so close to the start of the event could undermine the integrity and planning of future ICC events.

Ultimatum and Replacement Risk

Following an emergency ICC board meeting, Bangladesh was given a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm participation and agree to play in India. Should it refuse, the ICC has indicated that Scotland — the highest-ranked non-qualified team — could replace Bangladesh in the tournament.

Despite this, the BCB has said its overall plan remains unchanged, and it is still pushing for arrangements to play in Sri Lanka.

Wider Context and Implications

The row has spotlighted deeper political tensions between Bangladesh and India that have spilled into sport, including diplomatic strain following recent domestic events in Bangladesh and disagreements over player participation in the IPL.

Cricket politics has complicated the situation, with external commentary noting that Bangladesh wants security and fair treatment precedent similar to that seen in previous tournaments, while the ICC stresses neutrality and logistical constraints.

The controversy now creates an unprecedented challenge for the ICC, which is balancing tournament schedules, competitive fairness and risk management at the highest level of international cricket.

Sources: Reuters, Cricinfo, Times India, BBC