What was the sequence of events that led to Bangladesh being replaced at the T20 World Cup barely two weeks ahead of time?
On Saturday (January 24), the ICC announced that Bangladesh would not be part of the tournament, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India citing security concerns.
The ICC's own independent assessment concluded that there was an "absence of any credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team in India", according to a statement this evening. As a result, the fixtures would go ahead as planned, with Scotland taking Bangladesh's place.
But how exactly did we get here?
January 3, 2026
The BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, whom they had signed at December's player auction. In the days prior to this call, religious and political leaders in India had criticised the signing on the grounds of Mustafizur's nationality. He was the only Bangladesh player picked at the auction.
Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya called KKR owner and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan a "traitor" for signing Mustafizur, while the Shiv Sena (UBT), a political party, called on Khan to "boycott these players: choose Indian players." These comments also came against the backdrop of the lynching of a Hindu garment worker, Dipu Chandra Das, in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, in an incident thought to be religiously motivated.
The BCCI did not provide any reason for asking KKR to release Mustafizur.
January 4, 2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced their intention to not travel to India for the T20 World Cup starting on February 7, "following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India".
The BCB further said they had requested the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh's matches outside India, and ESPNCricinfo reported that the board had written to the BCCI requesting an explanation for Mustafizur's release from KKR. Furthermore, broadcasting of the IPL in the country was shut down by the government.
January 7, 2026
After reports emerged claiming that the ICC had rejected Bangladesh's request to shift their matches, and given them an ultimatum to play in India or lose points, the BCB denied them by saying: "The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board's inputs will be welcomed."
However, the same day, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul reiterated that Bangladesh would only play in Sri Lanka, and that they were "documenting issues" with their India travel for the ICC.
January 12, 2026
Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters that there was "no situation to play in India", and outlined three things the ICC had told the BCB, that would increase the security threat for their players. However, the board later put out a statement distancing itself from Nazrul's comments, saying he had referred to internal communication and that the ICC had not yet responded to their letter.
January 17, 2026
Rumours began to abound when the captains of India and Bangladesh did not shake hands at the toss during their U19 World Cup fixture. The BCB clarified that this was unintentional, and the teams did greet each other as usual after the match was over. Back at home, much of the intervening days (January 12-17) had been taken up by a tangentially-related player protest in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Later in the day, following a meeting with the ICC, the BCB made note of "constructive, cordial and professional discussions" but once again remained firm that they would not be heading to India.
January 19, 2026
Media reports said a final call on Bangladesh's participation was set to be taken by January 21. The same day, Pakistani media outlets reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had thrown its weight behind Bangladesh, calling their security concerns "reasonable and valid."
January 21, 2026
The ICC released a statement following a board meeting which said the original schedule of the T20 World Cup would be upheld, i.e. no matches would be shifted. Bangladesh would either fulfil their obligation or be replaced.
"Despite these efforts [at constructive dialogue], the BCB maintained its position, repeatedly linking its participation in the tournament to a single, isolated and unrelated development concerning one of its player’s involvement in a domestic league. This linkage has no bearing on the tournament’s security framework or the conditions governing participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup," noted the statement.
The following day (January 22), Aminul told the media he was hoping for a "miracle from the ICC", and that he had requested an extra 24 to 48 hours to have further discussions with his government.
January 24, 2026
The ICC confirmed that the BCB had been given a 24-hour timeframe following the meeting of January 21, to confirm whether their team would take part in the competition or not. Having received no such confirmation within the deadline, it was taken that Bangladesh would not be participating. Scotland were chosen as the replacement team, as the highest-ranked men's T20I nation that had not qualified for the tournament.
However, the story may not be done just yet. PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi also cast doubt over Pakistan's participation in the tournament, saying that the decision was up to their government, and that "if the government of Pakistan tells us to not play, then they [ICC] can bring in a 22nd team."
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