With no response from BCB, ICC readies Scotland call-up

With the 24-hour deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) having expired, there appears to be only one possible outcome to the ongoing standoff. The writing, it seems, is firmly on the wall.

Cricbuzz understands that the BCB did not communicate its position to the ICC within the stipulated timeframe, even though media reports suggested that internal discussions were held with government authorities and players' representatives. As of the time of filing this report, however, there had been no formal response from the BCB.

From the ICC's perspective, the path ahead is straightforward. If Bangladesh had agreed to participate, the matter would have ended there. Failing that, the ICC was expected to invite a replacement side, with Scotland the most likely candidate. Dubai waited for clarity from Dhaka over the past 24 hours. It may now move swiftly to formalise Scotland's participation in the T20 World Cup.

BCB president Aminul Islam spoke of the possibility of a last-minute miracle, but with the ICC board having already voted on the issue, there was little indication of any late change in stance from the governing body. The decision was left in Bangladesh's court, and no shot was played.

The BCB had the entire Thursday to decide whether it was willing to travel to India, but it maintained its position, reiterating that it would not do so due to security concerns for its players.

"Now this ICC tournament is being held in India. No matter how much the ICC says there is no security risk, the ICC does not have its own country. The country where my player was not safe - and where the Indian cricket board, which is an extended arm of the government, failed or was unwilling to provide him security under pressure from extremists - that is the country hosting this tournament," Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government's sports advisor, said on Thursday stating that not to play in India is a government decision.

That decision, however, was always likely to come with consequences.