Source NDTV sport
DUBAI / DHAKA – The “fresh twist” in the 2026 T20 World Cup standoff has hit a dead end. After the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially demanded that their venue dispute be referred to the ICC’s independent Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), sources close to the global body have confirmed the request is set to be rejected.
The BCB’s latest move was an attempt to bypass the ICC Board’s 14-2 vote that kept the tournament schedule unchanged. However, legal experts within the ICC have reportedly clarified that the DRC cannot overturn policy mandates or logistical schedules set by the Board of Directors.
Key Updates in the Standoff:
The Ultimatum: Following the expiration of a 24-hour grace period, ICC Chairman Jay Shah is currently in Dubai to finalize the tournament roster.
Replacement Ready: Scotland, as the highest-ranked non-qualified team, has been placed on high alert and is prepared to fly into the tournament if Bangladesh’s exit is formalized.
The “Mustafizur Factor”: What began as a dispute over pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release has snowballed into a major diplomatic crisis, resulting in Bangladesh banning IPL broadcasts and refusing to play at Indian venues like Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium.
Financial and Sporting Fallout
If the BCB remains firm in its refusal to travel to India, the consequences are stark:
Massive Revenue Loss: The BCB stands to lose roughly $28 million (Rs 240 crore) in participation fees and broadcast revenue.
Possible Sanctions: Beyond being replaced by Scotland for this event, Bangladesh could face suspension from future ICC bilateral cycles.
Player Dissent: Reports suggest some senior players were not consulted before the BCB’s hardline stance, leading to internal friction within the squad.
“We are still hopeful that justice will prevail,” said Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, despite the ICC’s insistence that independent security assessments found no threat to the team in India.
What’s Next?
With the tournament opening ceremony just weeks away, the ICC is expected to release a final, updated schedule within the next 48 hours. If the BCB does not provide a written guarantee of travel, the “Bangladesh” slot in Group C will officially be rebranded as “Scotland.”
