ICC offers new hopes for Bangladesh journalists [Source: X]The ICC recently made a major decision that affected both cricket teams and journalists. After almost three weeks of discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the 2026 T20 World Cup. This happened after BCB refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns. As a result, Bangladesh will no longer take part in the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.Accreditation issues for Bangladesh journalistsAlthough the ICC’s own assessment stated that there was no security threat to the Bangladesh team in India, the BCB still chose not to travel. This decision eventually led the ICC to bring Scotland into the tournament instead.Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, problems arose for Bangladeshi journalists who had applied for media accreditation to cover the tournament in India. However, the ICC is now reworking its media accreditation process for these journalists. This move comes after several members of the Bangladesh media claimed that their accreditation requests had been rejected.Explaining the situation, ICC sources said, "There is a reworking of the process since there is a change in the number of requests and the schedules. The accreditation lists are being worked out accordingly," ICC sources told PTI. This suggests that the ICC is adjusting its plans due to changes caused by Bangladesh not participating in the event.More than 80 Bangladesh journalists applied for accreditationAccording to sources, around 80 to 90 Bangladeshi journalists applied for accreditation. However, even when a team participates in an ICC event, not all media requests can be approved. "If you go by country quota, you can't exceed the number beyond 40. The ICC goes by the recommendations of the home board and accordingly takes a call on applications," sources added, as quoted by NDTV. It has now been learned that Bangladeshi journalists will need to apply for accreditation again. This time, each application will be reviewed individually, rather than as a group.Reaction from the BCB and journalistsIn Dhaka, BCB media official Amjad Hossain confirmed that the board has raised the issue with the ICC. "The decision came only yesterday and we have sought to know [the details]. An explanation has been requested. This is an internal and confidential matter, but to summarize -- we wanted to know why this was done," Hossain told reporters.Meanwhile, senior journalists in Bangladesh have expressed disappointment. "I have covered 8 to 9 ICC World Cups. This was the time first time my application was rejected. We are awaiting clarity from BCB before reapplying," said one experienced journalist.Situations like this are not new. During the 2023 World Cup, Pakistani journalists faced visa problems even though their accreditation had been approved.Pakistan threatens India T20 World Cup match boycottAt the same time, tensions continue on another front. Reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering protesting the ICC’s decision not to move Bangladesh’s matches away from India. According to Pakistan media, the PCB is keeping its options open, including possibly refusing to play their group-stage match against India in Colombo on February 15, or even withdrawing from the tournament entirely.
