The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that it has rejected applications from Bangladeshi journalists to cover the 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India. According to a report, ICC officials stated that the Bangladesh government and the BCB had decided not to send the Bangladesh cricket team to India, citing security concerns and describing India as unsafe. Based on this, the 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 follows the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to boycott the World Cup and not send its team to India due to security concerns.

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.

Amjad said, "As far as I know, all Bangladeshi journalists were rejected. This year, around 130 to 150 journalists applied, but none received accreditation."

Senior journalist Arifur Rahman Babu was one of four Bangladeshi reporters who covered the 1996 ICC World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

He said, "Even if no team is playing, journalists from ICC Associate Member countries can still receive accreditation. I see no reason why everyone was rejected. I am shocked, and I strongly condemn and protest this decision."

Bangladesh had requested that its group-stage matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released 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 demand 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. Following this, the ICC included Scotland in the World Cup in place of Bangladesh.