Bangladeshi journalists barred from covering T20 World Cup 2026 in India

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that it has rejected the application of Bangladeshi journalists to cover the T20 World Cup 2026 matches to be held in India.

According to a report, ICC officials have said that the Bangladesh government and the BCB had decided not to send the Bangladesh cricket team to India citing security reasons and had described India as unsafe. On the same grounds, visa and accreditation applications of Bangladeshi journalists have been rejected. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 6. This decision by the ICC was taken after the Bangladesh Cricket Board decided not to send its team to India due to security reasons and to boycott the World Cup.

According to a report in the Daily Star, several journalists claimed that several Bangladeshi photojournalists initially received approval emails on January 20 and 21, but their accreditations were later revoked. The report quoted BCB Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hussain as claiming that 130 to 150 Bangladeshi journalists had applied for accreditation.

"As far as I know, all Bangladeshi journalists were rejected. Around 130 to 150 journalists applied this year, but none received accreditation," Amjad said. Senior journalist Arifur Rahman Babu was one of four Bangladeshi reporters who covered the 1996 ICC World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

"Even if a team isn't playing, journalists from ICC Associate Member countries can still receive accreditation. I see no reason why everyone has been rejected. I am shocked, and I strongly condemn and protest this decision," he said.

Bangladesh had requested that its group-stage matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns following the release of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League. Bangladesh also suggested to the ICC that they swap groups with Ireland. The ICC did not accept Bangladesh's request and advised them to reconsider their decision and play in India, giving them sufficient time to decide.

The BCB, on the advice of its government, refused to send its cricket team to India, citing security concerns. Consequently, the ICC included Scotland in the World Cup instead of Bangladesh.