Bangladesh Take a Firm Stand Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026: Bangladesh have taken a strong and costly decision ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The country is ready to lose around ₹240 crore in revenue but will not play the tournament in India.
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clearly stated that the national team will not travel to India due to security concerns.
ICC Rejects Bangladesh’s Request
Bangladesh asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move all their matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC reviewed the request but rejected it after a security assessment.
Even after being given extra time to reconsider, Bangladesh stood by their decision. The move was made after discussions with:
- The Bangladesh government
- National team players
- Senior board officials
Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Advisor, Asif Nazrul, said that player safety cannot be compromised and the ICC’s security report was not acceptable to them.
Huge Financial Loss for Bangladesh
By skipping the tournament, Bangladesh are set to suffer one of the biggest financial losses in their cricketing history.
According to reports, Bangladesh could lose USD 27 million (around ₹240 crore), which is nearly 60% of their yearly cricket income.
Main Areas of Financial Loss
| Source of Income | Impact |
|---|---|
| ICC broadcast share | Lost completely |
| Tournament revenue | Lost |
| Sponsorship deals | Major reduction |
| Player endorsements | Already affected |
Despite this, the BCB is prepared to absorb the loss and stick to its decision.
Scotland Likely to Replace Bangladesh
If Bangladesh officially pull out, Scotland are next in line to replace them in Group C of the tournament. This change will still need final approval from the ICC.
Players Already Feeling the Impact
The financial fallout has already started affecting Bangladeshi players. Some Indian-owned sports brands have begun ending sponsorship deals.
Earlier this year, Indian sports equipment company SG reportedly terminated bat sponsorship contracts with several Bangladeshi cricketers. This shows how serious and immediate the consequences of the decision are.
Read more: Bangladesh Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Full Team List
Bangladesh’s stance is clear: player safety comes before money and tournaments. Even though the decision could cost them a World Cup spot and massive revenue, the country is not willing to compromise.
Now, all eyes are on the ICC’s final confirmation and whether Bangladesh will officially miss the T20 World Cup 2026.
