Uncertainty continues over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, with reports suggesting the ICC has set January 21 as the deadline for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to confirm whether the team will travel to India. If Bangladesh decide not to take part, Scotland could be brought in as a replacement.According to reports, the ICC has told Bangladesh to agree to play their matches in India or face the possibility of being removed from the tournament. The BCB has expressed reluctance to travel, citing “security concerns”, and has asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches to co-host Sri Lanka.
Discussions were held in Dhaka over the weekend between BCB officials and the ICC, but no resolution was reached.“During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka,” the BCB said in a statement.The ICC has not issued an official response. However, as per multiple media reports, Bangladesh had been given a deadline Wednesday to take a final call.Scotland could replace Bangladesh if required, as they are the highest-ranked team that did not qualify for the World Cup, news agency AFP reported, quoting sources.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are placed in Group C and are set to play their group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.One option discussed was a group swap with Ireland, who are in Group B and scheduled to play in Sri Lanka.“Among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed,” the BCB had said.The controversy began on January 3 after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL squad.As per the current schedule, Bangladesh will play three group-stage matches at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, followed by their final group-stage game in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
