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1) 2026 - Bangladesh withdraws from the T20 World Cup (replaced by Scotland) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by government advice, refused to send the team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup; the ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

1) 2026 - Bangladesh withdraws from the T20 World Cup (replaced by Scotland) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by government advice, refused to send the team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup; the ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

Why? The BCB cited player/official safety and asked to relocate Bangladesh’s matches; the ICC rejected the venue-shift request and, after deadlines passed, brought in Scotland. The episode involved diplomatic and political tensions and prompted ICC warnings of potential sanctions.

Why? The BCB cited player/official safety and asked to relocate Bangladesh’s matches; the ICC rejected the venue-shift request and, after deadlines passed, brought in Scotland. The episode involved diplomatic and political tensions and prompted ICC warnings of potential sanctions.

2) 1996 ODI World Cup – Australia and West Indies refuse to play in Sri Lanka - During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies declined to play scheduled matches in Colombo.

2) 1996 ODI World Cup – Australia and West Indies refuse to play in Sri Lanka - During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies declined to play scheduled matches in Colombo.

Why - Security fears dominated decision-making. Sri Lanka had recently experienced LTTE bombings and internal unrest, prompting serious concerns from visiting teams. Despite organisers offering enhanced security measures, some boards chose not to travel to Sri Lanka, prioritising player safety over participation at those venues.

Why - Security fears dominated decision-making. Sri Lanka had recently experienced LTTE bombings and internal unrest, prompting serious concerns from visiting teams. Despite organisers offering enhanced security measures, some boards chose not to travel to Sri Lanka, prioritising player safety over participation at those venues.

3) 2003 Cricket World Cup – England’s Harare forfeit and New Zealand’s venue dispute - The 2003 World Cup, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, was marked by multiple disputes. England refused to play their scheduled match in Harare, while New Zealand unsuccessfully sought to move a fixture against Kenya to a different venue.

3) 2003 Cricket World Cup – England’s Harare forfeit and New Zealand’s venue dispute - The 2003 World Cup, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, was marked by multiple disputes. England refused to play their scheduled match in Harare, while New Zealand unsuccessfully sought to move a fixture against Kenya to a different venue.

Why - England’s decision was driven by political instability and human-rights concerns in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, reinforced by government guidance. As a result, England forfeited the match and points were awarded to Zimbabwe. New Zealand’s venue-change request was rejected by the ICC, highlighting the tournament’s rigid enforcement of hosting arrangements despite political sensitivities.

Why - England’s decision was driven by political instability and human-rights concerns in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, reinforced by government guidance. As a result, England forfeited the match and points were awarded to Zimbabwe. New Zealand’s venue-change request was rejected by the ICC, highlighting the tournament’s rigid enforcement of hosting arrangements despite political sensitivities.

2009 World Twenty20 – Zimbabwe withdraws (decision taken in 2008) - Zimbabwe withdrew from the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, with the decision announced in mid-2008.

2009 World Twenty20 – Zimbabwe withdraws (decision taken in 2008) - Zimbabwe withdrew from the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, with the decision announced in mid-2008.

Why - The UK government was expected to deny visas to Zimbabwean players due to diplomatic opposition to the Mugabe regime. Faced with the likelihood of non-participation, Zimbabwe Cricket opted to withdraw, citing the “larger interests of the game.” The case underscored how visa and diplomatic barriers can directly impact international sporting events.

Why - The UK government was expected to deny visas to Zimbabwean players due to diplomatic opposition to the Mugabe regime. Faced with the likelihood of non-participation, Zimbabwe Cricket opted to withdraw, citing the “larger interests of the game.” The case underscored how visa and diplomatic barriers can directly impact international sporting events.

2016 Under-19 World Cup – Australia withdraws from Bangladesh - Cricket Australia withdrew its Under-19 team from the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Bangladesh.

2016 Under-19 World Cup – Australia withdraws from Bangladesh - Cricket Australia withdrew its Under-19 team from the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Bangladesh.

Why- Australia cited serious security concerns for its players, referencing prior incidents and what it viewed as an unacceptable risk environment at the time. The ICC later adjusted tournament logistics to accommodate Australia’s absence, making this a clear example of a full withdrawal driven by safety considerations.

Why- Australia cited serious security concerns for its players, referencing prior incidents and what it viewed as an unacceptable risk environment at the time. The ICC later adjusted tournament logistics to accommodate Australia’s absence, making this a clear example of a full withdrawal driven by safety considerations.

1) 2026 - Bangladesh withdraws from the T20 World Cup (replaced by Scotland) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), backed by government advice, refused to send the team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup; the ICC subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.

Why? The BCB cited player/official safety and asked to relocate Bangladesh’s matches; the ICC rejected the venue-shift request and, after deadlines passed, brought in Scotland. The episode involved diplomatic and political tensions and prompted ICC warnings of potential sanctions.

2) 1996 ODI World Cup – Australia and West Indies refuse to play in Sri Lanka - During the 1996 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies declined to play scheduled matches in Colombo.

Why - Security fears dominated decision-making. Sri Lanka had recently experienced LTTE bombings and internal unrest, prompting serious concerns from visiting teams. Despite organisers offering enhanced security measures, some boards chose not to travel to Sri Lanka, prioritising player safety over participation at those venues.

3) 2003 Cricket World Cup – England’s Harare forfeit and New Zealand’s venue dispute - The 2003 World Cup, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, was marked by multiple disputes. England refused to play their scheduled match in Harare, while New Zealand unsuccessfully sought to move a fixture against Kenya to a different venue.

Why - England’s decision was driven by political instability and human-rights concerns in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, reinforced by government guidance. As a result, England forfeited the match and points were awarded to Zimbabwe. New Zealand’s venue-change request was rejected by the ICC, highlighting the tournament’s rigid enforcement of hosting arrangements despite political sensitivities.

2009 World Twenty20 – Zimbabwe withdraws (decision taken in 2008) - Zimbabwe withdrew from the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, with the decision announced in mid-2008.

Why - The UK government was expected to deny visas to Zimbabwean players due to diplomatic opposition to the Mugabe regime. Faced with the likelihood of non-participation, Zimbabwe Cricket opted to withdraw, citing the “larger interests of the game.” The case underscored how visa and diplomatic barriers can directly impact international sporting events.

2016 Under-19 World Cup – Australia withdraws from Bangladesh - Cricket Australia withdrew its Under-19 team from the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Bangladesh.

Why- Australia cited serious security concerns for its players, referencing prior incidents and what it viewed as an unacceptable risk environment at the time. The ICC later adjusted tournament logistics to accommodate Australia’s absence, making this a clear example of a full withdrawal driven by safety considerations.

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