Mumbai: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) saved itself from financial sanctions or suspension for its refusal to send its men's cricket team to India to play the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, resulting in the International Cricket Council (ICC) replacing them with Scotland in the event, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The ICC decision not to impose financial sanctions on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came after a tri-partite discussion also between the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in Lahore on Sunday.
"It is agreed that no financial, sporting, or administrative penalty will be imposed on the Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter. It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact," the ICC said in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, ICC’s approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment.
However, many fans of the sport will consider the ICC's approach as a climbdown from its stance when it decided to bring in Scotland into the T20 World Cup 2026 in place of Bangladesh, after seeking to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka at a late juncture.
"While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team’s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB's position as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game. The ICC also reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket’s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team's non-participation in ICC Men's T20 World Cup does not have any long-term effects on Cricket in the country," the ICC said.