Bangladesh are seeking what officials have described as a “miracle” to secure their participation in next month’s ICC Twenty20 World Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected their request to move matches out of India.
Read More: ICC rejects Bangladesh’s plea to play T20 World Cup matches outside India
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Thursday it would approach the country’s interim government in a final attempt to resolve the impasse, after the ICC board dismissed Bangladesh’s concerns over the safety and security of their players and supporters in India. The global tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7.
Bangladesh had asked for their World Cup matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing heightened political tensions with India. However, the ICC rejected the proposal, leaving Bangladesh with limited options — either accept the existing arrangements or risk being replaced by another team in the competition.
ICC has denied Bangladesh’s request to shift their T20 World Cup matches.
The ICC cleared to BCB that play in India or forfeit their points. pic.twitter.com/ZGMJCHVjcH
— War & Gore (@Goreunit) January 7, 2026
BCB president Aminul Islam said he had requested additional time from the ICC to consult with the government. “I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time,” he told reporters. “They accepted it as a valid point and gave me 24 to 48 hours to get back to them.”
“I told them (ICC) that I want one last chance to tell my government. They said it’s a valid point and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them.”
BCB president Aminul Islam will make one last attempt to convince the Bangladesh government.#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Jd0H7WPPcm
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 21, 2026
Aminul reiterated the board’s concerns, stating that Bangladesh did not believe India was a safe venue for its team. He added that while the ICC had denied their request, the BCB would relay the government’s feedback before making a final decision.
Despite the standoff, Aminul said players were eager to compete in the global tournament. “Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The government also wants Bangladesh to play,” he said, while expressing hope that the ICC might still reconsider its stance.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have deteriorated in recent months, with tensions spilling over into cricketing ties. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League this season despite signing with a Kolkata-based franchise, prompting Bangladesh to ban IPL broadcasts domestically.
Read More: Bangladesh says no to T20 World Cup India games
The dispute has raised uncertainty over Bangladesh’s World Cup participation, with officials warning that failure to reach a compromise could result in their exclusion from the tournament.