New Delhi: A major crisis is unfolding in international cricket as Bangladesh risk being replaced in the 2026 T20 World Cup, with the International Cricket Council set to take a final call imminently. The controversy traces back three weeks to the decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to ask Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, a move that triggered a diplomatic and sporting chain reaction.
Bangladesh have refused to travel to India for their World Cup fixtures, citing security concerns. The ICC, however, has rejected the request to shift matches outside India, stating that with the tournament only weeks away, there is little scope for logistical changes. Independent security assessments have classified the risk level as low to moderate, leading the ICC Board to vote overwhelmingly in favour of retaining India as the host venue.
With Bangladesh standing firm, Scotland have been placed on standby as a replacement team. A formal announcement on the matter is expected shortly, with the ICC leadership currently finalising the decision.
In a last-ditch effort, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has approached the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee to challenge the ruling. However, existing regulations make it clear that the committee does not have the authority to hear appeals against decisions taken by the ICC Board of Directors. As a result, the appeal is unlikely to be admitted for consideration.
The situation has been further complicated by statements from Bangladesh’s interim government, which has asserted that the final call on travel rests with state authorities rather than the cricket board. This stance has created friction within the global governing body, particularly after public announcements were made before formally informing the ICC.
The dispute resolution mechanism under the ICC functions strictly within its defined legal framework and is designed to verify procedural compliance, not to overturn executive decisions. If the committee declines to intervene, the only remaining option for Bangladesh would be to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
With time running out and tournament preparations entering their final phase, the ICC appears poised to prioritise certainty and scheduling stability. Unless there is a dramatic reversal, Bangladesh’s continued participation hangs by a thread, while Scotland stand ready to step in, marking one of the most consequential off-field disputes in recent cricket history.
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