Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday clarified that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has assured it of Bangladesh’s full and uninterrupted participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, firmly rejecting media reports that claimed the Board had been issued an ultimatum.
In an official statement, the BCB said it received a formal response from the ICC after raising concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India, including a request to relocate the team’s matches. The ICC, the Board said, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh’s participation and expressed willingness to work closely with the BCB on security-related planning.
“The ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament and conveyed its readiness to collaborate closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised,” the statement said, adding that the Board’s inputs would be duly considered during detailed security planning.
The BCB also categorically denied reports suggesting that the ICC had warned Bangladesh to travel to India or risk forfeiting competition points. “Such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC,” the Board said.
Emphasising player welfare, the BCB stated it would continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant authorities to arrive at a practical solution that ensures the smooth participation of the team while prioritising safety and security.
The Board had approached the ICC following an emergency meeting held on January 4, after which it formally sought relocation of Bangladesh’s fixtures due to security concerns. This came in the backdrop of IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, reportedly following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid concerns over alleged atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.
As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are placed in Group C and are slated to play West Indies, Italy and England in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14 respectively, before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.