Cricket World Cups are meant to celebrate the game in in purest form, but not all results are decided on the field. In rare and controversial circumstances, some teams often refrain from playing the tournament or a particular match at the World Cup level due to escalating tensions or even security concerns. Although, such decisions have been a part of the sport for long now, a similar instance is currently being seen prior to the T20 World Cup 2026.
In this article, we have revisited notable instances when teams have refused to take the field in World Cup history, examining the reasons behind those moves. Let’s delve upon the same here:
Instances when teams refused to play matches in World Cup
Bangladesh remain firm to not play T20 World Cup 2026 in IndiaWith the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 just round the corner, the tournament has been put under jeopardy as Bangladesh men’s team has refused to travel to India for the tournament. Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains firm on their decision to not travel to India, thus wanting to play all their matches in Sri Lanka.
Although, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have dismissed baCB’s appeal citing security concerns. If the BCB’s stance continues to remain the same, they would be replaced in the upcoming tournament.
India refuse to play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in PakistanA similar situation arose when India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With Pakistan securing the hosting rights of the tournament, Team India remained firm on their decision to not play in Pakistan due to the escalating political tensions following Operation Sindoor.
As a result, the tournament was eventually hosted in a hybrid model with UAE serving as a neutral venue and India played all their matches in the UAE.
Australia withdraw from U19 World Cup 2016At the U19 World Cup in 2016 in Bangladesh, Australia withdrew from the tournament. Earlier in October 2015, Australia who were scheduled to play Bangladesh in a bilateral series, pulled out of the tournament due to security concerns. The Aussies’ stance remained the same for the U19 World Cup 2016 as they cited, “threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh” was as high as earlier.
Zimbabwe pull out of T20 World Cup 2009Prior to this, a similar instance occurred in 2009 when Zimbabwe pulled out of the ICC T20 World Cup. With relations not improving in five years between Zimbabwe and the UK, the ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket reached an agreement where the Chevrons were told to pull out of the tournament in a win-win situation, “in larger interest of the game.” As a result, an associate team, Scotland, was selected from the qualifiers to replace Zimbabwe.
England skip Zimbabwe & New Zealand to not play in Kenya in ODI World Cup 2003With the Cricket World Cup 2003 being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, this edition saw two instances of teams refusing to play in a host country. While England declined to play Zimbabwe in Harare because of the tensed relations, New Zealand also refused to travel to Nairobi to face Kenya because of security reasons.
Australia & West Indies refuse to play ODI World Cup 1996 in Sri LankaThe first instance of a team refusing to play in the host nation took place during at ODI World Cup 1996. In the lead-up of the 1996 CWC, co-hosts Sri Lanka were in middle of a civil war and things heightened after a bomb explosion in Colombo. Although India and Pakistan played a friendly game against Sri Lanka in Colombo before the start of the tournament, but Australia and West Indies still refused to travel to Colombo for their group matches.
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