Bangladesh Forms Panel to Probe T20 WC Withdrawal

The Bangladesh government has formed a three-member committee to investigate the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to withdraw the national team from the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, an action that led to the team's disqualification and replacement by Scotland.

Announced on May 10, the panel is headed by former additional secretary Dr. A.K.M. Oli Ullah and includes former national captain and current chief selector Habibul Bashar, as well as Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Faisal Dastagir. The committee has been directed to submit a report within 15 working days, examining the circumstances of the withdrawal, including potential diplomatic or strategic shortcomings.

The controversy stemmed from security concerns raised ahead of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. On January 3, the Board of Control for Cricket in India directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad amid strained bilateral relations. The following day, then-sports adviser Asif Nazrul publicly suggested the ICC shift Bangladesh's group-stage matches, scheduled in India, to Sri Lanka, arguing that if a contracted...