List of all ICC events boycotted by teams [Source: @ICC/x.com]Participating in an ICC event is very important for any team. Not just for the exposure teams get on the field, but also from the point of view of generating revenue. Teams always wait for an opportunity to play in major tournaments, especially the teams that do not get to play against some of the best teams in the world.However, there have been a few instances where teams have refused to play some ICC tournaments or matches. The latest addition is Bangladesh, who have pulled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. On that note, let’s have a look at the teams that have boycotted ICC events in the past. 3. Zimbabwe – 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England Zimbabwe decided to withdraw from the T20 World Cup 2009, then known as the World Twenty20, due to political tensions. In the 2003 ODI World Cup, England refused to play in Harare due to their country’s political stance against the Robert Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. Years later, the relations had not improved, and there were concerns about England hosting the tournament if the Zimbabwe Players did not get their visas. Zimbabwe decided to pull out of the tournament "in the larger interest of the game", saying they did not want to be "gatecrashers" to a "party they weren't invited to", but received their full participation fee. The ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket called it a “win-win” situation. In the end, Scotland, who were the next in line to qualify, replaced them in the tournament. 2. Australia – 2016 U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh The Australian U-19 team had refused to travel to Bangladesh for their bilateral series in 2015, citing security concerns as the reason. The stance of "threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh" did not change when the 2016 U-19 World Cup came around. Eventually the pulled out of the tournament and Ireland replaced them instead. The ICC, in their statement, said that they respected Australia’s decision not to participate in the tournament but were “disappointed.” 1. Bangladesh – 2026 T20 World Cup in India The rising political tension between India and Bangladesh were fuled when BCCI sacked Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026. The BCB eventually revoked their No Objection Certificates granted to the players for the cash-rich league. They also requested the ICC for a change in venues for their matches in the T20 World Cup 2026. The cited security concerns as the reason for this change and demanded their matches be played in Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the tournament. They were originally scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The ICC reviewed the security arrangements at these venues and found no concerning threat to the Bangladeshi players, media, or fans and requested BCB to reconsider their plea. However, the BCB remained firm in its stance and decided to pull out of the tournament. Eventually, Scotland replaced them in the tournament.
