The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is making strong efforts to bring former national captain Shakib Al Hasan back into the Bangladesh team. March is the most likely time for his return.

BCB officials said the plan is not to arrange a farewell series for the star all-rounder at this moment. Instead, the board wants Shakib to make a proper comeback and continue playing for the national team, not just for one series.

BCB director Asif Akbar confirmed that talks are already happening at a high level. Speaking to a Bangladeshi media outlet, Prothom Alo, he said, “Our board president is in contact with the government authorities about this issue. We hope Shakib can return to the national team during the home series against Pakistan in March.”

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Shakib Still Away From the National Team

Shakib Al Hasan has not returned to Bangladesh since August 5, 2024. He wanted to play the Mirpur Test against South Africa, but some issues stopped him from playing. After the tours of Pakistan and India, he has not played for the national team. Earlier plans about his retirement also did not work out.

Shakib Wants a Proper Farewell

In a recent interview with a Bangladeshi media, Shakib said he still wants to retire on a positive note.

“I still want to retire after playing a full series,” Shakib said. “That is why I am still playing cricket. If I can finish after a series, it will feel right to me.”

BCB Working on His Return

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to work on Shakib’s return in a board meeting on January 24. Board directors Amzad Hussain and Asif Akbar later confirmed that the government has been contacted to help bring him back.

However, the board wants Shakib to play for a longer time. 

“We want Shakib to play for Bangladesh again, starting with the Pakistan series,” Asif Akbar told in Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom alo. “First, we need to create the chance. After that, it will be his decision if he wants to continue.”

Bangladesh will host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March, before the Pakistan Super League later that month. Pakistan will also return in May for a two-match Test series.

The Bangladesh women’s cricket team continued their strong performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers. They qualified for the main tournament after a convincing 39-run win over Thailand in the Super Six stage.

Bangladesh remained unbeaten in the tournament and has now won five matches in a row. They won all four matches in the group stage and carried four important points into the Super Six stage. In their first Super Six match, they played better than Thailand and secured an easy victory.

With six points in the Super Six stage, including the four carried forward, Bangladesh are now comfortably placed at the top of the points table.

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Bangladesh book their berth for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in June 👏#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/aK4aoA98rE

— ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2026

Bangladesh Seals World Cup Spot with Strong Super Six Run

Bangladesh entered the Super Six stage as Group A winners after beating the United States, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, and Ireland. Their strong performance put them in a very good position for qualification.

The qualification situation clearly favours Bangladesh. Even if they lose their remaining two matches, their excellent net run rate of +1.150, the best in the tournament, makes it almost impossible for them to fall out of the top four. Only a very rare situation, where five teams finish with the same points, could affect their qualification. Even then, Bangladesh remain in a strong position.

As of now, Bangladesh have officially qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in England and Wales in June and July.

Match Summary: Bangladesh vs Thailand

In Wednesday’s match, Bangladesh batted first after losing the toss and scored 165 for 8 in 20 overs. Thailand were then restricted to 126 for 8, giving Bangladesh a 39-run win.

Bangladesh had a shaky start as opener Dilara Akter was out for a golden duck, while Sharmin Akter scored 11. Juwairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary then shared a crucial 110-run partnership for the third wicket. Both scored half-centuries. Juwairiya made 56 off 43 balls, and Sobhana scored 59 off 42 balls. Ritu Moni added a quick 15 runs, while the lower order contributed little.

During the chase, Thailand lost early wickets but showed some fight through Nathakan Chantham (44), Naruemol Chaiwai (30), and Nannapat Koncharoenkeat (29). No other batter reached double figures.

Marufa Akter led the bowling with three wickets. Ritu Moni and Swarna Akter took two wickets each, while Fahima Khatun picked up one.

The final verdict on the participation of the Bangladesh cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 has arrived. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has removed the team from the tournament. Which means Bangladesh is no longer eligible for taking part in the T20 World Cup 2026. 

In place of Bangladesh, Scotland will join Group C in the contest. Now, the question is, what will be the consequences for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as they are not going to play the elite tournament?

The Bangladesh cricket board and their national team may have to cross some bumpy roads ahead. Their decision not to travel to India, citing 'safety and security' concerns, has damaged the situation between India and Bangladesh. BCB will lose a significant amount of revenues for not taking part in the T20 World Cup 2026.

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As the Bangladesh Cricket Board did not want to send the team to India, will the BCCI send the Indian cricket team to Bangladesh? India is scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August-September, which is now uncertain. If Team India refuses to travel to Bangladesh, then that will have a huge effect on the Bangladesh Cricket Board. They can lose a huge amount of money if the Bangladesh vs India series does not take place.

These consequences Bangladesh can in the near future

Additionally, other income sources of BCB are also likely to be hit for not participating in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. According to the media reports, the total income of the Bangladesh Cricket Board can drop by 60 percent or even more than that.

The board officials also may have to deal with sponsorship issues as well. It will also be interesting to see whether the ICC can take any further steps against Bangladesh. In the near future, the reputation and revenue of Bangladesh cricket can be damaged by a significant margin.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has again come under controversy after a senior team official made a serious match-fixing claim. The allegation came just hours after a playoff loss ended the team’s journey in the tournament.

Sylhet Titans adviser Fahim Al Chowdhury accused one of his own players of match-fixing and called it an act of “betrayal.” His statement came after Sylhet Titans lost the second qualifier to Rajshahi Warriors by 12 runs on Wednesday, January 21.

After the defeat, Fahim resigned from his role as adviser. Later, he spoke to fans during a live session on social media, where he explained his side of the story and shared his disappointment with the team’s performance.

The match had looked close for most of the time. Sylhet were chasing a target of 166 and were in a strong position near the end. However, a sudden drop in scoring changed the game and helped Rajshahi secure the win. This collapse caused anger within the team and later led to public claims of wrongdoing.

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Fahim makes serious match-fixing claim

During a late-night Facebook Live session, Sylhet Titans adviser Fahim Al Chowdhury accused an unnamed person linked to the team of fixing the match. He said he had prior information that the game had been deliberately compromised.

“Dear Bangladesh and the people of Sylhet, I want to share something important. Today’s match was badly affected. I received trusted information that a person involved sold himself. He lied to us, betrayed Sylhet, and cheated Sylhet Titans. Most of all, he hurt the emotions of the people of Sylhet,” Fahim said on social media.

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‘This loss was caused by betrayal’

Fahim spoke about the pain the incident caused him and said money should never lead to corruption. He also denied that Sylhet’s exit was just a normal defeat.

“There was no need for this. If he needed money, he could have told me and it would have been arranged. This truth has broken me. I will not stop here. The matter will be fully investigated, and action will be taken. Today’s loss was a loss because of betrayal. Anyone who watched the match will understand. This was not our loss. The match was fixed, and Sylhet was betrayed,” he said.

Fahim also claimed that corruption has been present in the BPL for a long time. He said the incident left players and fans deeply upset.

“I already knew the BPL had issues with gambling and betrayal. Today, our players are shattered. The people of Sylhet are heartbroken. I will not let this go easily,” he added.

Match-fixing claims have appeared in past BPL seasons, but no clear results have come from them. This season, the Bangladesh Cricket Board brought in former ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Alex Marshall to improve monitoring. Fahim’s comments have now put fresh pressure on officials as the league faces renewed scrutiny.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to make a final decision today on Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, which will start on February 7. A day before this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) became part of the controversy by writing to the ICC. They supported the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision not to send their team to India for the event, citing security concerns.

The timing of PCB’s email will raise questions, as it was also sent to members of the ICC Board, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo. The ICC has called a Board meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue, which has been pending for weeks.

However, PCB’s support for Bangladesh is not expected to change the ICC’s decision. The ICC is firm on not changing the World Cup schedule and plans to have Bangladesh play their matches in Sri Lanka. The ICC has made this clear to the BCB in earlier discussions.

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Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Participation Hangs in the Balance

The two parties have met several times to discuss the issue, with the latest meeting held over the weekend in Dhaka. However, neither the ICC nor Bangladesh has changed their stance.

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Deadline Looms as Uncertainty Continues

The ICC has set January 21, Wednesday, as the final deadline to make a decision. This is to ensure that if Bangladesh pulls out, a new team will have at least 15 days to prepare for the T20 World Cup.

Interestingly, the PCB’s recent involvement comes amid speculation that they had offered to host Bangladesh’s World Cup matches in Pakistan. It was also reported that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament could depend on what happens with Bangladesh. However, none of these reports or speculations were confirmed by any PCB official.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das confirmed on Tuesday that the players are unsure about the situation and declined to comment on the team’s participation. “Are you sure that we are going to the World Cup? In reality, there is still a long time left before the World Cup, and we are not even sure whether we will go or not,” Das said.

He added, “If we had known who our group opponents were or which country we were going to, that would have helped,” while speaking to the media.

The situation between India and Bangladesh regarding the T20 World Cup 2026 has become a major talking point in sports recently. Due to political tensions between the two countries, the BCCI asked the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of IPL 2026.

This led the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) to write to the ICC and ask that their World Cup matches be moved out of India for security reasons. A final decision on this matter is expected on January 21.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the ICC will wait for the final decision from the BCB. If the BCB does not allow Bangladesh to travel to India for the World Cup, Scotland could take their place in the tournament based on rankings.

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Scotland Could Replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026

Based on current ICC T20I rankings, Scotland is the frontrunner to take Bangladesh’s fixtures if they opt out. This includes the tournament opener against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 7.

Logistical sources suggest Scotland is already on “high alert” to complete travel and visa arrangements before the end of the month.

Why is Bangladesh Hesitant to Play in India?

The issue, which has lasted nearly three weeks, started with the controversial release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) earlier this month.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cited security concerns for not sending the team to India. They suggested co-host Sri Lanka as a neutral venue instead.

However, the ICC has rejected all proposed alternatives:

No Group Swap: The request to swap places with Ireland, who play entirely in Sri Lanka, was denied.

Security Assurances: Independent assessments by internationally recognised experts found no specific threat to Bangladesh in Kolkata or Mumbai.

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Bangladesh Scheduled to Face West Indies on Opening Day

Bangladesh is set to start its T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7.

If Bangladesh does not agree to travel to India for the tournament, it is highly likely that Scotland will replace them.

Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat continued in his role as the third umpire for the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand in Indore on Sunday. This came despite ongoing tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over security concerns related to the T20 World Cup 2026.

For the third ODI at the Holkar Stadium, KN Ananthapadmanabhan and Richard Illingworth served as the on-field umpires. Sharfuddoula Saikat was the third umpire, Rohan Pandit was the fourth umpire, and Javagal Srinath acted as the match referee. The BCCI made no changes to the officials’ panel, even after the recent India–Bangladesh row during the U19 World Cup handshake controversy.

The presence of a Bangladeshi umpire in India surprised many fans, as the BCB had recently asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. However, the BCB cannot stop Saikat from officiating in India because he is an ICC-contracted umpire.

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Security Concerns and ICC Clarification

The tension between the two boards increased after Bangladesh asked the ICC to move its T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India, citing security concerns. However, the ICC confirmed that Sharfuddoula Saikat is an ICC-contracted umpire and does not need any clearance or a No Objection Certificate from the BCB to officiate in India. BCB Umpire Department Chairman Iftekhar Rahman also said that Saikat is automatically released for ICC duties and that the Bangladesh board cannot stop him from officiating.

Toss Update and Team Changes

At the toss in Indore, India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl first. He said chasing would be better at the high-scoring Holkar Stadium, even though India had earlier scored 385 and 399 when batting first at the venue. India made one change, bringing in Arshdeep Singh in place of Prasidh Krishna, while New Zealand fielded the same playing XI from the Rajkot ODI.

Since August 5, 2024, Shakib Al Hasan may no longer be on the field, but his presence is still felt in the stands through placards held high by fans. Despite criticism and controversy over his association with the previous government, the love for Shakib remains strong.

At 38, Shakib has shared a deeply personal wish—to wear the Bangladesh jersey one last time, not for records or milestones, but for the fans. He hopes to end his international career with a full-format series at home, in front of the people who have supported him throughout his journey.

Speaking to a Bangladeshi media outlet, Shakib said his desire to retire on his own terms is still strong. “Yes, that wish is still there—to retire after playing a proper series,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I’m still playing cricket.”

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Shakib Still Hopes for a Farewell Series at Home

Although he is currently outside the national setup, Shakib Al Hasan says he has no regrets. He revealed that his original plan was to end his international career at the Champions Trophy. “I had planned to finish at the Champions Trophy, so there’s no regret,” Shakib said. “That tournament was supposed to be the end of my international career. I’ve played everything apart from that. If I can finish with one more series, I’d feel good. If not, I’m fine with it.”

Despite this, Shakib’s desire to return comes mainly from his strong bond with fans. “If it happens, great,” he said with a smile. “If not, that’s okay too. But if I get the chance to play, it would be for my fans—the ones who support me without conditions. Doing this for them would mean a lot to me.”

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Why a Home Farewell Matters to Shakib

At present, a return to the Bangladesh team does not seem close. When asked if he would consider a farewell series outside the country, Shakib explained why playing at home is so important. “If it’s outside Bangladesh, my fans won’t feel the same,” he said. “They can already watch me on TV. But playing at home is different. They can come to the stadium, stay there, and support me. That feeling is special for both them and me.”

Recently, a fan in Chattogram was reportedly taken to a police station just for carrying a placard with Shakib’s name. The former captain said the incident was both painful and touching. “Of course, it feels bad,” he said. “I feel for my fans. The way they keep supporting me is beyond imagination. Even if I have faults, they have covered them with their love. They expect nothing in return. That kind of support is unbelievable.”

Shakib ended with gratitude and one final hope. “I’m truly thankful to my fans. That’s why I want to finish my career with a series in Bangladesh.”

The upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is all set to kick off on February 7. Ahead of ICC's elite tournament, the venue controversy around the Bangladesh cricket team remains. On Monday, a fresh report regarding their probable T20 WC venue has emerged. According to a report by Cricbuzz, Bangladesh games are unlikely to be moved to Sri Lanka.

The option of moving Bangladesh's games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram is being explored. The venue controversy sparked as the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) restricts Bangladeshi star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from taking part in the IPL 2026 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). After the BCCI instruction, KKR released the pacer whom they bought from the IPL 2026 mini auction for a price tag of more than INR 9 crore.

After the BCCI decision on Rahman, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting their World Cup matches to be moved out of India, citing security concerns. As Sri Lanka is the co-host of the tournament along with India, there were speculations to shift the Bangladesh matches from India to Sri Lanka. In the group stages of the T20 WC, Bangladesh is scheduled to play in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, which is now uncertain.

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Latest updates on Bangladesh cricket team venues in T20 World Cup 2026

According to the latest media report, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram have been cited as two new potential venues where Bangladesh could play their matches. The Cricbuzz report further stated that officials of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Kerala Cricket Association have expressed their interest in hosting Bangladesh for the World Cup games.

According to the current schedule, Bangladesh is scheduled to play three games – against the West Indies (February 7), against Italy (February 9), and against England (February 14) in Kolkata, before shifting their camp to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17. As of now, it is hard to see Bangladesh T20 WC 2026 matches outside of India.

The situation between India and Bangladesh over the T20 World Cup 2026 has intensified, with the Indian government now closely tracking developments. Sources say the government is working in coordination with the BCCI and is reviewing the matter on a daily basis.

According to a Times of India report, the government is fully aware of the situation and is prepared to “act whenever required.” Bangladesh has asked for its matches to be moved out of India and shifted to Sri Lanka, but the ICC has not yet responded after initially rejecting the request.

With India set to host part of the multi-nation tournament, sources said the government will follow its standard sports policy of welcoming all participating teams. Any action from the Indian side will depend on the final position taken by Bangladesh.

Decision lies with Bangladesh, say sources

A BCCI source made it clear that the first move must come from Bangladesh. “Once their govt makes the stand clear or takes a final decision, only then will Indian authorities react,” the source said, as quoted by TOI. The source added that if Bangladesh decides to withdraw from the tournament or insists on relocation, it would be entirely their own call. Indian authorities will respond only after Dhaka officially communicates its final decision. 

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Bangladesh’s concerns are linked to what it sees as growing anti-Muslim sentiment on Indian social media following the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has also raised concerns after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL by the BCCI.

Responding to safety concerns, a BCCI source said, “As for the Bangladesh cricket team, there will be full security measures in place. The government's stand has always been that of welcoming every nation coming here to participate. The ball is in their court whether they want to come or not. The decision is entirely theirs."

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has sent a second formal letter to the ICC, giving the global body 48 hours to respond to its request. With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to start on February 7, the ICC’s decision could have major implications for both the BCCI and Bangladesh cricket.