Bangladesh’s position remains unchanged. If matches are not moved out of co-host India, Bangladesh will not play in this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to security concerns – a stance Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said is now “final”.

Speaking after a meeting with World Cup squad members at InterContinental Dhaka last Thursday, Nazrul said, “There is no scope whatsoever for changing our decision.”

That decision could come at a heavy financial cost for Bangladesh cricket, with a major portion of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) annual income tied to ICC revenue and global tournaments.

ICC money makes up the bulk

The BCB earns from ticket sales, broadcast rights, advertising, and sponsorships linked to national team matches. But its biggest revenue stream comes from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which distributes a share of its global earnings among member boards.

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul recently told a local media outlet that 55-60% of the board’s yearly income comes from the ICC.

Participation in ICC global events brings additional income – including a fixed participation fee and prize money linked to performance. If Bangladesh do not feature in the T20 World Cup, the BCB will miss out on all of those earnings.

How much money is at stake?

India’s news agency PTI reported that Bangladesh could lose the opportunity to earn around $27 million, which is roughly Tk330 crore, if they do not play in the tournament.

The report said this figure represents Bangladesh’s share of ICC annual revenue (4.46% of the ICC’s total income), which would have been available through participation.

There is also a wider concern: if Bangladesh withdraw, they may breach ICC participation requirements – potentially risking a large portion of ICC-linked revenue in the process.

Participation fee, prize money, and players’ income

Each team is set to receive $3,00,000 (around Tk3.66 crore) simply for taking part in the tournament. Bangladesh would lose that amount immediately if they do not play.

Beyond the participation fee, there is prize money at different stages of the World Cup. Players would also miss out personally match fees, performance bonuses and prize payouts that only come with appearing in the event.

Media reports have also claimed Bangladesh could face a fine of around $2 million, roughly Tk24.46 crore, if they fail to present a “valid” justification to the ICC for not participating.

Knock-on impact at home

T20 is now the most commercially valuable format in cricket, and the World Cup is usually the biggest event for broadcasters and advertisers.

Indian outlet RevSportz claimed Bangladesh’s official broadcaster, T Sports, could face losses of around Tk300 crore if Bangladesh do not participate.

Advertising firms could collectively lose another Tk100 crore, as Bangladesh matches traditionally draw strong TV audiences and drive high-value ad sales.

Longer-term worries

The impact may stretch beyond this World Cup. Bangladesh are scheduled to host India for three ODIs and three T20Is in September.

If political tension leads to India not touring and the series is cancelled, Bangladesh cricket would lose another major revenue opportunity – because matches against India generate far greater broadcasting and sponsorship interest than most other bilateral series.

Under the ICC’s current revenue distribution model, Bangladesh are expected to receive around Tk327 crore per year in the 2024-2027 cycle.

But if Bangladesh skip a major ICC event, there is concern their allocation could be reduced in the next cycle from 2028 onwards.

Bangladesh could also face setbacks in ICC committee representation and voting influence.

From a cricketing perspective, missing this World Cup could also complicate Bangladesh’s path to future tournaments, including the possibility of having to go through qualification rather than entering directly.