Bangladesh cricket is stuck in a major crisis just weeks before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as tensions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) escalate. Now they have taken a big step after their request to shift their group matches out of India was rejected by the global body.
Bangladesh vs ICC: BCB makes last attempt before T20 World Cup 2026
After the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s demand to shift its ICC T20 World Cup 2026 games from India to Sri Lanka, the BCB has made a last-ditch effort to change the situation.
According to a Times of India report, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has written another letter to the global body, asking them to refer the matter to the ICC’s Independent Dispute Resolution Committee following their strong stance on the ongoing controversy in India.
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The BCB is hopeful that the ICC will respond to its letter and send the change of venue request to the Dispute Resolution Committee for review after it remained adamant on not traveling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, starting on February 7.
BCB requested intervention of dispute resolution committee
The ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee acts as an arbitration body and consists of independent legal experts. It operates under English law and is based in London. The committee not only reviews disputes but also checks whether ICC decisions are valid and interpreted correctly.
Once the committee gives its decision, it is final and binding, with almost no scope for appeal. Now Bangladesh is hoping for relief through this legal route before the global tournament.
On 22 January, the BCB announced that it would not send the Bangladesh cricket team to India for the tournament after the ICC rejected their request during a video conference. ICC made it clear that there will be no change in the schedule of the tournament.
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However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is also firm, with its president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirming that his team will not play its T20 World Cup matches in India. They are now waiting to see if the ICC responds to the fresh letter and refers the issue to the dispute resolution committee.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule and growing uncertainty
As things stand, Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule remains unchanged on paper. The Liton Das-led team is scheduled to begin its campaign against two-time champions West Indies on February 7 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Exactly two days later, on February 9, Bangladesh will face Italy on the same ground. After this, they have to play England once again in Kolkata on 14th February. After completing the Kolkata leg, Bangladesh will travel to Mumbai to face Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on February 17.
Well, while the ICC is not ready to back down, the BCB is also determined to fight its case till the end. If they do not reach a solution soon, the situation could turn into one of the biggest controversies in the game, with serious consequences for Bangladesh.
