Bangladesh’s place in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 looks to be in doubt after the interim government decided not to travel to India due to security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the decision on Thursday, with sports advisor Asif Nazrul reiterating the stance of not traveling to India.
After Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL by BCCI and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), BCB said that they will not travel to India for the World Cup. The BCB urged the ICC to shift its matches to Sri Lanka, but discussions repeatedly broke down after the Jay Shah-led body refused to change the venue.
ICC may blacklist Bangladesh from world cricket
Bangladesh are facing the real possibility of missing the upcoming T20 World Cup after refusing to travel to India due to security concerns. According to recent reports, the ICC Board has already voted to field a replacement team if Bangladesh does not change its stance.
All ICC full members except Pakistan supported this decision. The ICC also gave the Bangladesh Cricket Board an additional day to reconsider its position. If Bangladesh still refuses to travel, Scotland, the highest ranked team among non-participating teams, is expected to take its place in Group C.
On January 22, 2026, BCB president Aminul Islam said that Bangladesh would not play in India under any circumstances, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected the request to move the matches.
BCCI will prepare Nepal to replace Bangladesh in international cricket – report
According to media reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing Nepal’s cricket board – Cricket Association of Nepal – to step in amid Bangladesh’s dispute with India. However, it is important that India’s involvement with Nepal cricket has been part of a development partnership and not some secret plan to replace a team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Over the past two years, the Government of India and the BCCI have supported Nepal’s cricket development through training and infrastructure support. The Nepal men’s team spent two weeks at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in July 2025 to prepare for the ICC Qualifiers.
MS Dhoni was named goodwill ambassador to promote cricket in Kathmandu. No official steps have been taken to replace Nepal with Bangladesh in ICC events. Nepal remains an Associate Member working towards qualification through regular routes.
However, reports claim that the BCCI is planning to elevate Nepal in international cricket so that it can eventually replace Bangladesh.
Also read: BCCI accused of ruining T20I monster, Rinku Singh’s prime year snatched away
Nepal’s journey so far in cricket
Nepal has made steady progress in international cricket over the last few years. The men’s team has qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup twice, first in 2014 and again in 2024. Nepal also earned a spot at the 2023 Asia Cup, where they competed against top Asian teams.
The team achieved ODI status in 2018 and subsequently played in the ICC World Cup League 2, part of the 2023–24 World Cup qualification pathway. Nepal has played 81 ODI matches so far, winning almost half of them and is currently ranked 17th in the ICC ODI rankings.
Nepal took a big step forward in T20 cricket by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier in 2025. That win secured their place in the global T20 World Cup qualifiers and confirmed them as Asia’s strongest Associate team that year.
Nepali players have started attracting attention at the global level as well. Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane played in the IPL, becoming a major symbol of Nepal’s growing presence in world cricket.
Also read: After ICC’s T20 World Cup decision, Bangladesh prays for success, sports advisor arrives to meet cricketers
