Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)’s bold attempts to get its T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India have hit a major hurdle from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had appealed to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), hoping for a legal way to shift its T20 World Cup 2026 group matches to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 battle is finally over
But the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) will reportedly not hear his case, as reported by a PTI journalist. The rules clearly state that the body is not eligible to challenge any ICC decision, which means Bangladesh has no legal option to force the matches to be shifted out of India.
Also read: BCB announces legal battle after ICC rejects demand for T20 World Cup 2026 venue change
Clause 1.3 of the DRC’s terms of reference reads: “The Committee shall not serve as an appeal body against decisions of the ICC or any decision-making body established under the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the ICC or under any rules or regulations of the ICC…”
Some? #today’s latest news #bangladeshcricket
@bcbtigers appeal to @ICC There will also be no Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) hearing as it is beyond the remit of the committee.
Why
According to clause 1.3 of the DRC’s terms of reference: “The Committee shall not act as an appeal body…– Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) 23 January 2026
The case cannot be heard even in DRC: ICC
Meanwhile, an ICC source also revealed that the DRC is not allowed to handle matters related to decisions taken by the ICC Board, such as rejecting a request to change the World Cup venue.
“Bangladesh can approach the DRC, but if we look at the rules, the case cannot even be heard because the committee does not have the power to hear appeals against decisions taken by the board of directors,” PTI quoted an ICC source as saying.
This was a big blow for the BCB, as the T20 World Cup 2026 will start as planned from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Now, Bangladesh will have to decide whether it will play its group matches in India under ICC protection or miss the tournament altogether.
Also read: Danish Kaneria supports ICC, criticizes Bangladesh over T20 World Cup 2026 impasse
Bangladesh players ready, but government bans India tour for T20 World Cup 2026
On the other hand, Bangladesh cricket team players were ready to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, but their government told them in a meeting that they are not taking part in the tournament. It is being said that not BCB, but Bangladesh government is taking all the decisions related to India tour.
Cricbuzz quoted a Bangladeshi cricketer, speaking on condition of anonymity, as saying, “The meeting was not called to give our consent, as was initially reported. Rather, we were called so that we were kept abreast of developments in the ongoing crisis. They made up their mind before coming to the meeting and decided what they would do, and it is not as if any decision was taken keeping our views in mind.”
“They didn’t ask. They straightaway made the plan and said it’s not happening. Earlier, they used to sit with us and listen to us. But now, they have already said we are not going,” he said. “The point is that the Bangladesh government had already made the call, nothing but that is the real story. This was a direct order from the government – this is not happening.”