Cricket’s global governing body has reportedly given Bangladesh until Wednesday to confirm its participation in next month’s T20 World Cup in India, or risk being replaced by another team, according to multiple media reports.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to make a final decision on whether it will send its team to India for the tournament, which begins on February 7 and is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. An ICC source told the Press Trust of India that if Bangladesh withdraws, the vacancy would likely be filled by the next highest-ranked non-qualified team, believed to be Scotland.

“The BCB officials have been told to decide on the participation by 21 January. If they refuse to travel to India, then they should be ready to be replaced by another team as per rankings,” the source said.

The BCB, however, has denied receiving a formal deadline. Board media committee chair Amjad Hossain stated that discussions with an ICC representative on Saturday focused on Bangladesh's "reluctance to play in that venue" and a request for alternate locations, with no specific date set for a response.

The dispute stems from Bangladesh's cited concerns over player "safety and security" amid strained political relations between the two nations. Tensions escalated recently when fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from his Indian Premier League contract with Kolkata Knight Riders, a move that angered officials in Dhaka.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play all four of its Group C matches in India—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The BCB has requested its matches be moved to Sri Lanka, a proposal the ICC has reportedly rejected, arguing the schedule is final and security assessments show no specific threat to the team.

With Bangladesh's opening match against the West Indies set for February 7 in Kolkata, time for a resolution is rapidly running out.