Bangladesh has decided to boycott the T20 World Cup, although they still say that they will play if their matches are shifted to Sri Lanka. ICC has already rejected this demand. Former Indian cricketer Atul Wasan termed this decision of Bangladesh as childish and said that it will also impose financial restrictions on Bangladesh cricket.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Atul Wasan said, “It is very sad, but it is also quite funny because they know what the consequences will be of withdrawing from such a big tournament and for what? Just to be angry or upset because one of their players was removed from the IPL. It has come to this level. It really surprises me, but they do not realize that the entire cricket system will suffer.”

Bangladesh is doing its own harm – Atul Wasan

The former cricketer further said, “The ICC has made it clear that you cannot force a big institution like the ICC to change the match at the last minute by blackmailing or putting pressure. I think the ICC has done the right thing in making its stand clear. I think Bangladesh is now doing its own harm and does not realize that financial sanctions will also be imposed. But in the long run, the result will be that cricket will suffer.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On Bangladesh to not play their T20 World Cup fixtures in India, former Indian Cricketer Atul Wassan says, “It’s sad, but it’s quite funny because they know the repercussions of just pulling out of such a big tournament and for what? Just getting miffed or sulking… pic.twitter.com/8T1FmIUv8M

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2026

Bangladesh may get punished

This is also a crime according to ICC rules. Due to this, Bangladesh will not only have to lose the participation fee in the tournament, but they will also not get a share in the total income of ICC. ICC can also ask BCB to compensate for the losses incurred due to logistics, broadcasting etc.

Bangladesh demanded that their matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 be shifted to Sri Lanka, because their team would not be safe in India. The ICC has talked to the BCB on this issue, and has rejected their demand by assuring them of their security. In this regard, ICC has also given an ultimatum to BCB to give its decision soon. Bangladesh Cricket Board said that they will be able to take a final decision after talking to their government. ICC has given him additional time of 24 to 48 hours. Today Asif Nazrul, Sports Advisor to Bangladesh Government, is holding a meeting with his players. Through this, the government wants to know the attitude of the players of its team, so that later no player goes against them.

Only Pakistan was seen in support of Bangladesh, which expressed disagreement with ICC’s decision of not shifting Bangladesh’s matches. However, PCB has made it clear that it will not boycott the T20 World Cup 2026. Let us tell you that all the matches of Pakistan are to be held in Sri Lanka only. He says that Team India’s matches were shifted from Pakistan to Dubai due to these reasons. By the way, Bangladesh has suffered a big setback in the voting on this issue also.

What happened during voting in ICC Board?

The ICC Board meeting was held on Wednesday through video conferencing. All 16 members of the board from the country took part in it. Aminul Islam was from Bangladesh. According to the report of ESPNcricinfo, Islam proposed that his team be replaced with Zimbabwe or Ireland, so that their matches would automatically be shifted to Sri Lanka. ICC rejected it, then voting whether the venue of Bangladesh’s matches should be changed or not? It was only Pakistan along with Bangladesh who supported the venue change. Only 2 out of 16 supported the venue change, after which the ICC gave an ultimatum to Bangladesh to explain its decision.

Asif Nazrul will meet Bangladesh players

Asif Nazrul, Sports Advisor to the Bangladesh Government, will meet the players of his cricket team today (January 22), so that no situation of rebellion arises later. This meeting is to start around 3 pm, which is at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. In this meeting, the government will not only give its decision but will also take the opinion of the players. According to the report, a decision will be taken in this meeting whether the team will go to India for the T20 World Cup or not. This is also special because the captain selected for the T20 World Cup, Liton Das had said that the government or the board has not talked to the players in this matter.