A growing standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over venue security concerns in India has escalated the situation into a real threat of Bangladesh withdrawing from the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
What Happens if Bangladesh Withdraws from the T20 World Cup 2026? All Scenarios & ICC Rules Explained
The relations between India and Bangladesh have been turning sour due to attacks on Hindu minorities in the country. This led the BCCI to order Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop from the squad for the upcoming IPL 2026. And this call was taken as an insult by Bangladesh.
Following the Mustafizur Rahman episode and the safety concerns raised at the government level, Bangladesh has decided against travelling to India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and has instead pushed for its matches to be played in Sri Lanka, the joint host of the mega event.
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Currently, Bangladesh is slotted in Group C alongside West Indies, England, Italy, and Nepal. Three of those group matches are set for Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while the remaining game is scheduled at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India has put the ICC under heavy pressure to find a solution that does not disrupt the entire event. However, the ICC has three possible ways to handle the situation, but the timing of the decision will play a huge role in what becomes realistic.
Scenario 1: The ICC’s Middle Ground
The best possible solution is that the ICC agree to Bangladesh’s demand and shift their group matches to Sri Lanka while keeping the rest of the tournament exactly as planned.
This would protect the 20-team format, and they would not need to make major venue adjustments. However, it can create a logistical nightmare for fans, broadcasters, and the schedules of other teams.
Scenario 2: Forfeits & A Broken Group
The second scenario comes into play if the ICC refuses to move the games and Bangladesh still chooses not to travel to India for the tournament. In that case, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 could continue with Bangladesh’s matches “awarded” to their opponents.
According to the rules, West Indies, England, Italy, and Nepal would be named the winners and awarded the points even without playing, while Bangladesh’s campaign would be declared dead.
Scenario 2: The Sporting Nightmare
The third and most extreme outcome would be a complete withdrawal by Bangladesh. This move would leave the ICC in a difficult position, as the governing body would have to either find a replacement at short notice or allow the tournament to move forward with forfeited fixtures.
Replacing a team would maintain a competitive balance, but it becomes more complicated as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is now just weeks away. If a replacement is needed, the process is far from straightforward, and it would be a headache for the governing body.
Read Also: BCB revokes Mustafizur Rahman’s NOC, rules pacer out of IPL FOREVER
T20 World Cup Shake-Up Looms as ICC Has No Ready Replacement
There is no fixed backup team for the T20 World Cup. If Bangladesh pulls out, the ICC will choose a replacement on its own, looking at recent form, how teams qualified, how quickly they can travel, and whether they can fit into the schedule smoothly.
Scotland are one of the strongest Associate sides, and they have even replaced a World Cup team in the past. In 2009, Scotland stepped in after Zimbabwe withdrew. But the 2026 qualification results make the decision more complicated.
In the Europe Regional Final, the Netherlands and Italy qualified, and Jersey finished above Scotland. If the ICC follows qualification results strictly instead of reputation, Jersey could be picked. Other teams egions could also be considered, but the ICC is likely to prefer a team that can join the tournament without causing travel or scheduling problems.
