A fresh controversy has emerged between the International Cricket Council and Bangladesh after the ICC rejected accreditation applications from more than a hundred Bangladeshi journalists for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
The International Cricket Council has rejected accreditation requests from Bangladeshi journalists seeking to cover the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka, starting from February 7.
The decision effectively bars Bangladeshi media representatives from reporting on matches in both host nations.
The development follows Bangladesh’s earlier refusal to travel to India for its group matches, citing security concerns amid political unrest. Bangladesh insisted on playing all matches at a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka, a request rejected by the ICC’s independent security unit.
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As a result, Bangladesh was officially replaced by Scotland in the biennial event.
ICC links decision to Bangladesh govt remarks
An ICC official confirmed to the Indian media that the denial of accreditation followed repeated remarks by Bangladeshi authorities describing India as unsafe for travel.
“They have not been given visas or accreditation because the government kept saying it is unsafe to come to India,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
Over 130 journalists affected
Bangladesh Cricket Board media committee chairman Amzad Hossain confirmed that between 130 and 150 Bangladeshi journalists had applied for accreditation. “As far as I know, all Bangladeshi journalists were rejected,” he said.
Several journalists reported receiving initial approval emails on January 20 and 21, only to have their accreditations withdrawn days later.
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Bangladeshi journalist Mir Farid said he received an approval email along with a visa support letter before being informed that his application had been rejected.
“I received an approval email on January 20, but today I was told my application was rejected,” he said. Such reversals have added to confusion and anger within Bangladesh’s media fraternity.
‘Unprecedented and deeply unfortunate'
Rana Abbas, sports editor of Aajker Patrika, described the situation as “extremely sad” and unprecedented.
Bangladeshi journalists have covered ICC events since before the country’s first World Cup appearance in 1999, including high-profile matches played in India.
“In the history of ICC events, this has never happened. Even journalists from non-participating countries are usually accommodated,” he said, warning that the move could also affect coverage in Sri Lanka.
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Senior journalist Arifur Rahman Babu, who covered the 1996 World Cup, said the blanket rejection was shocking. “Even associate member nations usually get accreditation. I find no justification for rejecting everyone,” he said.
Arifur, who also serves as president of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, said the decision exposed a “dark side” of the ICC.
Journalists’ bodies consider protest action
Bangladeshi journalists have reached out to the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) and the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Community (BSJC) to decide their next steps.
Arifur said a strong protest letter would be sent to the ICC through the Ministry of Information and the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
He also noted that since Sri Lanka is a co-host, arrangements could have been made for Bangladeshi journalists to cover matches there.
ICC yet to respond formally
The ICC media department was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of filing the report.
Meanwhile, the controversy has further strained relations between the ICC and Bangladesh, raising questions about press freedom, professionalism, and fair access in global sport.
