ICC to replace Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026? This team to be potential replacement

The International Cricket Council has given the Bangladesh Cricket Board one more day to confirm with the Bangladesh government and decide whether their team will travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. In case Bangladesh continues to refuse to play in India due to security concerns, the board has decided to replace them with a new team based on the rankings.

The decision was taken by the ICC board meeting, where the majority of the directors' votes went in favor of the replacement team. Bangladesh is now stuck to their sterns of wanting to play in Sri Lanka instead of India. The meeting was called after the PCB wrote to the ICC and other boards in support of BCB’s position.

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“The decision was taken after considering all security assessments conducted, including independent reviews, all of which indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, media persons, officials, and fans at any of the tournament venues in India.” The ICC expressed in a statement the two associate member directors, ICC CEO Sanjo Gupta, and ICC Deputy, along with the general manager, while also in attendance. 

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The board meeting was attended by the directors of all the Full member countries, as it has been reported that apart from ICC Chair Jay Shah, the participants included BCB President Anemone Islam, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the SLC President, and other board members.

“The ICC Board noted that it was not feasible to make changes so close to the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardize the sanctity of future ICC events and undermine its neutrality as a global governing body.” The statement added.

Bangladesh is placed in Group C at the T20 World Cup and is scheduled to play their first three games at the Indian Gardens in Kolkata on February 7, 9, and 14. Their final group game is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 17.