Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has established a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the national cricket team’s withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the panel instructed to submit its findings within 15 working days.
The move follows earlier comments from Youth and Sports Adviser Aminul Haque, who had indicated the government intended to examine the circumstances behind the decision. The National Sports Council has now acted on that commitment.
The committee will be led by Dr A.K.M. Oli Ullah, Additional Secretary of the Administration Division at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Former Bangladesh captain and current national team chief selector Habibul Bashar Sumon will serve as the cricket representative on the panel, alongside Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Faisal Dastagir, who has also been described in the National Sports Council notice as a distinguished sports organiser.
Oli Ullah confirmed the panel’s intentions on Monday. “We will try to start working as soon as possible. Hopefully we will submit our findings in 15 working days,” he said.
According to the notice signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Ongyajai Marma, the committee’s remit includes preparing a full review of Bangladesh’s non-participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup and examining all related matters surrounding the decision.
Bangladesh pulled out of the tournament following an escalating dispute with India over security arrangements and venue allocations. Tensions intensified after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board subsequently requested the ICC relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected that request, and Bangladesh formally withdrew from the tournament. Scotland were confirmed as their replacement.
The government order did not outline any specific action against the BCB or individual officials. The committee will examine the sequence of decisions that led to the withdrawal and scrutinise the communication between the BCB and the ICC throughout the process. The ICC has not issued further comment since confirming Scotland’s inclusion.
