Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has established a three-member inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the national team’s withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following one of the most controversial episodes in recent cricket administration history. The panel was constituted through an official government order dated Saturday and has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 working days as scrutiny intensifies over the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s handling of the tournament dispute and its fallout with Indian cricket authorities.
Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Mahbub Ul Alam confirmed the development while speaking to ANI over the phone. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh has formed a three-member investigation committee to look into the decision regarding Bangladesh’s non-participation in the recently concluded T20 World Cup held in India.”
The inquiry committee will be led by Additional Secretary Dr. A K M Oli Ullah, with Former Bangladesh Captain Habibul Bashar Sumon and Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Faisal Dastagir also included in the panel. The committee has been directed to review all issues linked to Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament, which was jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Oli Ullah said the panel would begin work immediately. “We will try to start working as soon as possible. And hopefully we will submit our findings in 15 working days.”
Fallout from the T20 World Cup withdrawal
The investigation follows months of controversy after Bangladesh declined to participate in matches scheduled in India, citing security concerns raised by the country’s previous interim administration. Bangladesh was later replaced by Scotland in the 20-team competition after the ICC rejected requests to move the team’s fixtures outside India.
As previously reported by cricexec, tensions escalated after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board subsequently sought assurances from both the ICC and the BCCI regarding security arrangements and requested that matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
The fallout triggered wider diplomatic and cricketing tensions between the two countries, with uncertainty also emerging around India’s planned white-ball tour of Bangladesh. The controversy became one of the most politically sensitive episodes involving cricket administration in the region in recent years.
Tamim Iqbal addresses Bangladesh’s handling of the crisis
The formation of the inquiry committee comes as the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s new leadership attempts to move beyond the controversy that led to the country’s withdrawal from the tournament and the subsequent strain in cricket relations with India. Since assuming charge as Bangladesh Cricket Board Interim President, Former Bangladesh Captain Tamim Iqbal has publicly backed efforts to rebuild ties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India while distancing the current administration from the decisions taken by the previous board.
Tamim Iqbal discussed the previous administration’s approach to the dispute while speaking to Indian Express. “I was probably the first to speak out when the (T20) World Cup issue happened. What was done, how it was handled by the previous Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) administration, was not right. The ICC was lenient, there was room to find a solution. We should have found it.”
The Bangladesh Cricket Board Interim President also spoke about his relationship with Board of Control for Cricket in India President Mithun Manhas and their previous association in franchise cricket. “Regarding BCCI — I have played a lot of cricket with (current BCCI president) Mithun Manhas. In the IPL, we were in the same team, he has come to Bangladesh many times to play in Dhaka leagues. Very good rapport. I haven’t had the chance to sit with him in this capacity yet, but I know him well.”
Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament drew strong reactions within the country’s cricket community after the team missed a major ICC event. The tournament would have marked another global appearance for several players in the national setup. “Let me go back to 1996-97 — how much we fought to win that ICC trophy against Kenya just to qualify for the World Cup. My house was floating in coloured water. People celebrated in the streets. That celebration brought kids into cricket — everybody wanted to be Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Khaled Mashud, Akram Khan. And we gave away a World Cup without even having a proper dialogue. There might be players in that squad who will never play in a World Cup again. That I did not take nicely.”
Calls for improved cricket relations
Tamim also addressed relations between cricket administrators and the broader ICC structure during the interview with Indian Express. “On (ICC chairman) Jay Shah — I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet in this role, but I know a lot of Indian cricketers and I have only heard good things about him. I have always seen ICC as a family — when I was a player and now. There are 12-15 countries all together. We need to look after each other. I genuinely don’t think the teams we’re talking about wish us bad. Cricket should remain about cricket.”
He also spoke about the prospect of India returning to Bangladesh for bilateral cricket in the future. “The country’s security is absolutely brilliant at the moment. There is no issue, no security threat — and it has never been for the Indian cricket team. When India comes here, the whole stadium is packed. People love that contest. I personally don’t think BCB and BCCI have any real issues anymore. A series here would be a great way to take the next step forward.”
The inquiry committee is expected to submit its findings to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports within 15 working days, with the investigation likely to shape the next phase of accountability and governance reforms following the country’s controversial withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
