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Bangladesh Government Investigates ICC Tournament Withdrawal
Three-member committee to investigate controversial decision that sparked criticism across cricket community
The Bangladesh government has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the controversial withdrawal of the national team from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a move that had triggered widespread criticism in cricketing circles.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Additional Secretary Dr AKM Wali Ullah will head the panel.
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar and Supreme Court lawyer and sports organiser Barrister Faisal Dastagir have been appointed as members of the committee, which has been asked to submit its report within 15 working days.
Bangladesh had withdrawn from the T20 World Cup — jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8 — after the International Cricket Council reportedly declined a request to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.
The controversy intensified after the Board of Control for Cricket in India allegedly dropped Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL following threats from extremist groups.
The then Bangladesh Cricket Board administration, led by Aminul Islam, raised concerns regarding the safety of players, officials, and journalists travelling to India for the tournament.
Despite the ICC maintaining that adequate security arrangements were in place, Bangladesh’s interim government directed the cricket board to withdraw from the tournament, prompting criticism from former players and sports analysts.
Current BCB ad-hoc committee chief and former national captain Tamim Iqbal recently criticised the handling of the situation, saying Bangladesh should have continued discussions with the ICC rather than pulling out of a major global event.
“There might be players in that squad who will never play in a World Cup again,” Tamim said while expressing regret over the decision.
The inquiry comes amid broader administrative changes within the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Earlier this month, the High Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the newly formed 11-member BCB ad-hoc committee headed by Tamim Iqbal.