ICC makes late attempt to rebuild trust with Bangladesh over T20 World Cup participation

 

The International Cricket Council is set to send two senior officials to Dhaka in a final effort to resolve the deadlock surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. The visit follows Bangladesh’s firm stance that their matches in the February 7–March 8 tournament be moved out of India — a demand that has stalled discussions for weeks.

While the trip is being viewed as a last-ditch attempt to break the impasse with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), it also serves as a confidence-building exercise. The ICC is keen to reassure Bangladesh that it is neither isolated nor being sidelined by the game’s global leadership.

The outreach comes after talks nearly collapsed during a video conference earlier this week, when BCB president Aminul Islam voiced strong dissatisfaction, bringing negotiations close to a breakdown. Despite that setback, the ICC re-engaged with the BCB in search of common ground. Representatives of the Muhammad Yunus interim government are also expected to be part of the discussions.

Two key concerns lie at the heart of the dispute: perceived security risks for Bangladeshi players in India, and the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman. According to ICC assessments, the threat level in India has been rated moderate to low — a classification not considered unusual for global events. By comparison, internal assessments reportedly suggest a higher risk level within Bangladesh itself.

The ICC delegation is expected to stress that Bangladesh’s participation is important to world cricket, but that the interests of the other 19 teams in the tournament must also be protected. As the sport’s governing body, the ICC must balance individual concerns with the collective integrity of the event.

Islam has reportedly focused on sections of the security report that reference hypothetical scenarios involving communal unrest, including perceived risks to Mustafizur. Political statements made by leaders from India’s BJP and Shiv Sena were also raised during discussions. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have indicated that any rise in perceived threat would be met with enhanced security arrangements.

Another major sticking point is precedent. Both the ICC and the BCCI are reluctant to alter venues or schedules at such a late stage, fearing it would undermine the sanctity of tournament planning and set an undesirable example for future events. Notably, the BCB did not raise objections for nearly three weeks after the schedule was announced on November 25.

Bangladesh officials have cited Mustafizur’s absence from the IPL and their own security assessments as reasons for concern, though the BCB has not formally shared its report with either the ICC or the BCCI. The ICC, for its part, has argued that hypothetical risks cannot justify withdrawing from a global tournament, drawing comparisons with large-scale political demonstrations not derailing sporting events elsewhere in the world.

The earlier video call featured senior ICC figures, including the chief executive, chief of security and head of legal affairs. The BCB was represented by Islam, vice-presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, along with cricket operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.

BCB director Iftekhar Rahman confirmed on Friday that ICC officials are due to arrive on Saturday. “We are looking forward to meeting them and hopefully resolving the matter,” he said. The discussions are expected to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

As per the existing schedule, Bangladesh are set to play three group matches in Kolkata — against West Indies, Italy and England — before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal.

ICC Launches Final Peace Mission to Dhaka Amid Bangladesh World Cup Standoff

 

Two senior officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) are set to travel to Dhaka in a final attempt to resolve the deadlock surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has maintained its firm stance, demanding that their matches be shifted out of India for the February 7–March 8 tournament.

While the visit appears to be a last-minute diplomatic move to convince Bangladesh to reconsider, the ICC also views it as a confidence-building exercise. The governing body aims to reassure Bangladesh that it is an essential part of the global cricket structure and not being sidelined.

This intervention comes after a tense video meeting earlier in the week, during which BCB president Aminul Islam expressed strong dissatisfaction, bringing discussions to a near collapse. Despite the heated exchange, the ICC reached out again to reopen dialogue. Representatives from the Muhammad Yunus–led government are also expected to join the upcoming discussions.

At the heart of the dispute are two major concerns:
1️⃣ Bangladesh’s perception of a security threat to its players in India
2️⃣ The Mustafizur Rahman episode, tied to alleged security risks

According to ICC security assessments, India’s threat level is graded “moderate to low,” which is considered normal for major global events. Ironically, the assessment suggests that the perceived threat level within Bangladesh itself is higher, rated “moderate to high.”

The ICC delegation will emphasize that while Bangladesh’s concerns matter, the needs of the other 19 participating teams must also be considered. Allowing venue changes could set a risky precedent for future tournaments. The schedule was released on November 25, but the BCB remained silent for nearly three weeks, making last-minute alterations difficult.

Islam reportedly fixated on a hypothetical scenario mentioned in the report involving potential communal violence in India. Concerns were also raised regarding Mustafizur, including statements made by BJP and Shiv Sena leaders. The ICC has countered that security arrangements will be scaled up if risks increase—standard protocol for global tournaments.

The ICC also pushed back against the BCB’s reasoning, noting that hypothetical risks cannot be grounds to withdraw. As an example, they argued that a pro-Palestine rally in Paris doesn't automatically render France unsafe for sporting events. Another point of contention is that the BCB has not shared its own security assessment with the ICC or the BCCI.

During the video call, the ICC was represented by its chief of legal, chief of security, and CEO. The BCB delegation included president Aminul Islam, vice presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.

BCB director Iftekhar Rahman confirmed to Cricbuzz that ICC officials will arrive on Saturday evening, with the meeting scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Rahman expressed hope that both sides would reach a resolution.

Bangladesh are currently slated to play three group matches in Kolkata—on February 7, 9, and 14 against West Indies, Italy, and England—before facing Nepal in Mumbai.