Bangladesh cricket team (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has entered into a constructive and open dialogue with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on issues including the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup T20 and the wider growth of cricket in South Asia, the governing body said in a press release. In particular, the discussions acknowledged the disappointment of Bangladesh’s non-participation in the T20 World Cup while reaffirming BCB’s status as a valued full member of the ICC. The global governing body highlighted the rich heritage of Bangladesh cricket and its key role in developing the sport, highlighting the country’s vibrant fan base of over 200 million supporters. The ICC has also made it clear that the absence of the national team will not have any long-term impact on cricket in Bangladesh.
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Key takeaways from the discussions include: No penalties for BCB: The ICC has confirmed that Bangladesh will not face any financial, sporting or administrative sanctions in connection with its non-participation in the T20 World Cup. BCB also reserves the right to refer to the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) under the ICC Regulations if it so wishes. The ICC reiterated its commitment to neutrality and fairness, focusing on facilitation rather than punishment. Hosting the 2028-2031 ICC Event: As part of the agreement, Bangladesh was confirmed to host the ICC event prior to the 2031 Men’s Cricket World Cup, subject to standard ICC hosting requirements. The decision reflects confidence in Bangladesh’s ability to host international tournaments and demonstrates the ICC’s commitment to distributing hosting opportunities across its member states. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said: “Bangladesh’s non-participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not change our commitment to the country as a premier cricket nation. We remain focused on the sustainable development of the sport in Bangladesh, creating opportunities for players and fans and investing in its long-term competitiveness and global integration.” The ICC, PCB and BCB along with other member boards reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement and emphasized the importance of unity and integrity in the global cricket community.
