ICC Chairman Jay Shah to consider ‘strict action’ against Bangladesh as India tour rift continues

ICC Chairman Jay Shah is set to contemplate strict action against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) if the latter refuses to tour India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

According to ICC sources, Shah is currently in Dubai, where a final call on the matter is expected to be taken. The development comes amid an ongoing rift between the ICC and the BCB over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament hosted by India.

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Sources indicated that the ICC views Bangladesh’s potential refusal to tour as a serious breach of its obligations, and punitive measures could follow if the standoff is not resolved soon.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah to contemplate strict action against Bangladesh if they do not agree to tour India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. ICC Chairman in Dubai for final call: ICC Sources

— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2026

Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wrote to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) independent Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), requesting that Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 be relocated to Sri Lanka instead of India, citing “security and safety concerns” for its players.

The ICC Dispute Resolution Committee is an independent arbitration body that deals with disputes involving the ICC, its member boards, players and officials.

The rift between the two boards escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the 2026 season. The decision was taken in light of ongoing developments in Bangladesh, where reports emerged of violence targeting Hindu communities.

In response, Bangladesh banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country and formally approached the ICC, seeking a shift of its World Cup fixtures from India to Sri Lanka.

However, the ICC rejected the BCB’s request during a video conference held on Wednesday to discuss the matter and chart the way forward for the tournament.

Following the ICC’s decision, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed on Thursday that Bangladesh remains firm in its stance and will not play its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in India.

As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are set to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Litton Das-led side will then face Italy at the same venue on February 9, followed by another Kolkata fixture against England.

After the England match, Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to Mumbai, where they will take on Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium.