ICC Vote Breakdown Revealed as Bangladesh Faces Uncertainty Over T20 World Cup Venue

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that Bangladesh must play its scheduled matches in India during the upcoming T20 World Cup or risk being replaced by another team, following a virtual board meeting where the majority of member nations voted against Bangladesh’s request for a venue change.

Bangladesh had remained firm in its demand to move its World Cup matches outside India, citing security concerns. However, the ICC confirmed in a statement that most member boards voted in favor of keeping the original venues unchanged. As a result, the governing body outlined two clear options for Bangladesh: participate in the tournament in India or face replacement by an alternative team, with Scotland emerging as the leading candidate.
 

According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stood firmly behind Bangladesh during the vote. Pakistan had earlier described Bangladesh’s concerns as “reasonable and valid” and indicated that it could reconsider its own participation if the security issues were not adequately addressed. Pakistani media had also reported that Pakistan temporarily paused its World Cup preparations amid uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation.

Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that, apart from Bangladesh itself, Pakistan was the only full member to vote in favor of relocating the matches. All other participating boards opposed the proposal.

The virtual meeting was attended by representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Ireland, and two associate member nations, along with senior ICC officials.

Indian media outlet News18 quoted an ICC source as saying that the proposal to move venues received support solely from Bangladesh and Pakistan, while all remaining members voted against it. The ICC initially gave Bangladesh until January 21 to communicate its final decision, later extending the deadline by an additional day.
 

With the World Cup fast approaching, Bangladesh’s participation now hangs in the balance, as the country must decide whether to compete under the existing schedule or step aside for a replacement team.