ICC gives BCB 21 January deadline:If Bangladesh refuse to play T20 World Cup matches in India, Scotland can be included

The ICC has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to clarify by January 21 whether it will participate in the 2026 T20 World Cup and whether its team will come to India to play matches.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, the ICC informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of this deadline at a meeting held in Dhaka on Saturday (January 17). This was the second meeting between the ICC and BCB in a week. In this, the BCB made it clear that it wants to play the T20 World Cup, but outside India. The BCB stated that there are concerns regarding the team’s security about playing in India. The BCB suggested that if not India, their matches should be held in co-host Sri Lanka. However, the ICC is sticking to its decision. The ICC has clearly stated that the tournament schedule will not be changed and Bangladesh will have to play in Group C. Also read: Watch | Virat Kohli jokingly pushes Daryl Mitchell out of field: Nitish Reddy does ‘Pushpa’ celebration If Bangladesh refuses, ICC can include Scotland
According to media reports, ICC is now leaving the final decision to BCB. If BCB refuses to send them to India, ICC can include another team instead of Bangladesh. Based on current rankings, Scotland has the highest chance of getting an opportunity. Demand to change group also rejected
In Saturday’s meeting, BCB had demanded a change of group, which ICC refused. ICC also assured BCB that there was no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team.
BCB had asked ICC to include them in Group-B instead of Group-C. The board’s argument was that if this happened, Bangladesh would have to play all its matches in Sri Lanka, which would reduce travel and security-related problems.
According to the current schedule, Ireland is to play its Group-B matches against Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman in Colombo, while their last match will be against Zimbabwe in Kandy. On the other hand, Bangladesh is scheduled to play three matches in its current Group-C against West Indies, Italy, and England in Kolkata, while the last group match is scheduled against Nepal in Mumbai. Also read: New Zealand win first-ever ODI series in India: Men in Blue’s historic loss Controversy over Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from IPL
Due to the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh, the BCCI has not allowed Mustafizur Rahman to play in the IPL. He was dropped from the KKR team on January 3 at the behest of BCCI. Angered by this, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of IPL matches in its country. Following this, citing the safety of players, it also demanded a change of venue for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start on February 7. Bangladesh’s First Match on February 7
In the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh has been placed in Group C. The team is scheduled to face West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14. All three matches are to be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Meanwhile, the team’s last group stage match is against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai. KKR bought Mustafizur for ₹9.2 crore, then controversy over his IPL participation
On December 16, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore in the IPL mini-auction. Following this, protests against Mustafizur began in India due to the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh. So far, 7 Hindus have been killed there. Later, BCCI did not allow Mustafizur to play in the IPL, and on January 3, KKR released him.