BCCI 'Wanted Bangladesh To Play' T20 World Cup, Official Says 'Assured Full Security, But...'

The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla stated that India offered full security to the Bangladesh cricket team, but changing the entire ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule at the last minute was challenging.

This remark followed the ICC’s announcement that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The decision, made public by the ICC on Saturday, January 24, 2026, concluded a prolonged standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the global governing body. The conflict arose due to the Bangladesh government’s refusal to permit the national team’s travel to India.

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“We wanted Bangladesh to play, and we also assured full security, but since they have made this decision, it is very difficult to change the entire schedule at the last moment. This is why Scotland was brought in,” Rajeev Shukla was quoted as sayig by ANI.

Timeline Of Bangladesh’s Exit

Tensions increased after the BCCI reportedly instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL franchise to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the 2026 season due to unspecified “developments all around.” The BCB saw this as an indication that Indian authorities could not ensure the safety of Bangladeshi nationals. This decision followed an extensive ICC process addressing the BCB’s concerns about hosting matches in India.

Over three weeks, the ICC engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue with the BCB, conducted transparently and constructively, including video conferences and in-person meetings. The ICC reviewed the BCB’s concerns, commissioned independent security assessments from internal and external experts, and shared detailed security and operational plans, including federal and state arrangements and enhanced security protocols for the event.

These assurances were reiterated at various stages, including discussions involving the ICC Business Corporation (IBC) Board. The ICC concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, its officials, or supporters in India.

Given these findings and after careful consideration of broader implications, the ICC decided not to amend the published event schedule. The ICC emphasised the importance of maintaining the tournament’s integrity and sanctity, protecting the interests of all participating teams and fans, and avoiding precedents that could compromise the neutrality and fairness of ICC events. Following its Wednesday meeting, the IBC Board requested the BCB to confirm within 24 hours whether Bangladesh would participate as scheduled.

Since no confirmation was received within the stipulated deadline, the ICC proceeded according to its governance and qualification processes to identify a replacement team. Scotland, the highest-ranked T20I side not initially qualifying for the tournament, was chosen. They are currently ranked 14th, ahead of seven teams already in the tournament – Namibia, the UAE, Nepal, the USA, Canada, Oman, and Italy.

(With inputs from Agencies)