The ICC has dropped Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup, replacing them with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to allow the team to travel to India, citing security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL.
Scotland’s inclusion ends a month-long deadlock during which the BCB repeatedly demanded that its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka and even proposed a group swap with Ireland.The Irish Cricket Board, however, firmly rejected the proposal. At the ICC Board meeting, Bangladesh’s stance was overwhelmingly overruled, with a 14–2 vote in favour of the “Tigers” travelling to India for their fixtures.
The ICC subsequently issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the BCB to reconsider its position. However, with Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul remaining firm in his opposition, Bangladesh’s hopes of participating in the T20 World Cup were effectively extinguished.
Senior ICC officials, including chairman Jay Shah, were in Dubai on Friday, and later that evening an official email was sent to BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul informing him of the global body’s decision.
“An email was sent last evening to the Bangladesh Cricket Board chairman, informing him that the board had failed to respond officially to the ICC within the 24-hour deadline given to confirm whether they would travel to India,” an ICC source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The source added that the BCB held a press conference in Dhaka before formally communicating with the ICC — a move termed a violation of protocol. “They were categorically informed that they are being replaced. Scotland is the new team in the World Cup.”
The ICC has also separately informed all participating member nations about Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament.
Despite repeated assurances from the ICC regarding security arrangements, Bangladesh Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul had advised against the national team’s travel to India, citing safety concerns.
Financial implications
The ouster is expected to have severe financial consequences for the BCB. The board will lose the USD 500,000 participation fee allotted to each team. More significantly, it risks a major hit to its annual ICC revenue share.
The BCB currently receives close to USD 27 million (approximately 330 crore BDT) annually from the ICC, accounting for nearly 60 percent of its total yearly budget. This does not include losses from sponsorship deals linked to World Cup participation.
Additionally, with India now unlikely to tour Bangladesh for bilateral series, the board stands to lose revenue equivalent to hosting nearly 10 bilateral series against other nations.
The only legal recourse available to the BCB is to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, although the tournament will proceed regardless of any legal challenge.