ICC Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to Bangladesh Regarding World Cup Participation

The Chronify

January 21, 2026

Scotland Could Replace Bangladesh in the 2026 T20 World Cup if No Decision is Made

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm their participation in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India. Despite multiple discussions and concerns raised by Bangladesh regarding security risks in India, the ICC has made it clear that the final decision rests with Bangladesh.

The ICC Board met on January 21 and voted on the matter, with a majority favoring the inclusion of an alternative team if Bangladesh refuses to play in India. The BCB has been instructed to consult with the government and inform the ICC of its decision within a day.

The ICC has emphasized that this is not only a board-level decision but also involves government approval. Should Bangladesh maintain its stance and refuse to send a team to India, the spot will likely be offered to Scotland, despite them not qualifying for the World Cup's main stage. The European qualifier teams, including the Netherlands, Italy, and Jersey, outperformed Scotland, but under the ICC's structure, Scotland is the most likely substitute.

The final decision rests with Bangladesh, and the cricketing world is now waiting to see what stance the BCB will take.