Group C: Bangladesh, England, Italy, Nepal, West Indies

Group B: Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe

Group A: India, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan, USA

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, UAE

There were talks that ICC will be approaching Scotland, if Bangladesh refuse to play the T20 World Cup. However, according to a recent BBC report, the ICC has not made any contact with Cricket Scotland regarding this matter. Cricket Scotland officials have also stated they have not spoken to the ICC out of "respect for the Bangladesh Cricket Board."

The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly backed Bangladesh's stance of refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to "security concerns" in a communication to the ICC. On the eve of the ICC meeting, the PCB wrote to the global body stating that it supports the BCB's stance, citing political instability in the region and has copied all ICC Board members on the letter, according to 'ESPNCricinfo'. 

"As cricketers, we always want to play. And when it's an event like the World Cup, of course we want to be there. These tournaments don't come around often. I see it as a big opportunity for us to play good cricket. I don't really know what is happening internally, so it's difficult for me to comment. But as players, we definitely want to play," said Najmul Hossain Shanto during a press conference.

As the deadlock between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh over the T20 World Cup 2026 continues, senior national player Najmul Hossain Shanto has clarified the team's stance.

"Are you sure we are going to play the World Cup? From my side, I am uncertain; everyone is uncertain. I think the whole of Bangladesh is uncertain at this moment. No answer. I understand what question you are going to ask. That is not safe for me. No answer," said Litton Das after a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match on Tuesday. 

Bangladesh cricket team skipper Litton Das avoided answering a question related to the T20 World Cup 2026 controversy, stating that it is not safe for him to do so.

"We can't be forced to play in India with unreasonable and unrealistic pressure. Haven't heard formally that they will exclude us and take Scotland instead. If ICC bows to BCCI and puts pressure on us, if they put unrealistic demands, we will not accept. There have been examples where India has refused to travel to Pakistan, ICC changed the venue. We have asked for venue change, for a logical reason. They can't force us to play in India by exerting undue and unreasonable pressure," Nazrul said in a press conference on Tuesday.

As Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser, was asked about the 'deadline and potential replacement', he clarified that the country isn't willing to budge on its demands.

Citing security concerns and national pride, the BCB has announced that its national team won't be travelling to India for its group games in Kolkata and Mumbai. However, with the event schedule already finalised, the ICC has shown reluctance to shift Bangladesh's games to co-host Sri Lanka, where the marquee India-Pakistan clash will be held as per the mutually agreed arrangement for ICC events till 2027.

Despite the back and forth between ICC and BCB, no solution has been found to the crisis that was triggered by the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League on BCCI's instructions for unspecified "developments all around".

The ICC has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to decide on its participation in the T20 World Cup in India by January 21 or "risk being replaced by another team" in the tournament beginning February 7.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Deadline day for Bangladesh to decide their participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. For the unversed, ICC had given BCB an ultimatum till January 21 to decide on their participation after they refused to send their team to India for the World Cup.