New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India over security concerns under the existing match schedule.
The decision comes after Bangladesh maintained its stand that it would not travel to India due to security concerns, despite repeated assurances from the ICC and Indian authorities. The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7, with matches to be held across India and Sri Lanka. Now Scotland has placed in group C. The team will play their four group league games against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) in Kolkata followed by a game against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17
Why Bangladesh were dropped
The ICC said the decision was taken after a Board meeting held on January 21, where Bangladesh was given 24 hours to confirm whether it would participate in the tournament as scheduled. After no confirmation was received within the deadline, the ICC proceeded to replace Bangladesh as per its rules.
In an official statement, the ICC said multiple independent security assessments, conducted by internal and external experts, found no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials, media or spectators in India. The ICC added that changing the schedule so close to the start of the tournament was not feasible and could disrupt the entire event and affect other teams.
BCB stands firm
Despite the ICC’s assurances, the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to change its position. BCB Media Committee chairman Amjad Hossain said the board had tried all possible options.“We have tried our best. We respect the ICC Board’s decision, but since our request was denied, there is nothing more we can do,” he said.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed that Bangladesh would not play its World Cup matches in India. “We want to play the World Cup, but we will not play in India,” he said, adding that Bangladesh had only asked for its matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is also a co-host.
Bangladesh officials have linked their concerns to recent developments involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was released by IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2026 season. The BCB has said this was not an isolated issue and reflected wider safety concerns.
Why Scotland were chosen
Scotland were selected as Bangladesh’s replacement based on the ICC T20I rankings. They are currently ranked 14th, ahead of teams like Namibia, UAE, Nepal, USA, Canada, Oman and Italy.
The European team has played in six previous editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup and brings experience to the tournament. ICC officials said Scotland’s inclusion ensures the competition remains balanced.
Pakistan reacts, backs Bangladesh
The ICC’s decision has also drawn reactions from Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Bangladesh had been treated unfairly and that Pakistan would follow its government’s direction on participating in the tournament.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country. That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder and this injustice should not be done,” Naqvi said.
He added that Pakistan’s final decision would be taken after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns from Davos.“We are waiting for the prime minister to return. A final decision will be taken then,” he said.
Pakistan’s matches are currently scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, including a high-profile match against India on February 15.
ICC stands by its decision
The ICC rejected allegations of bias, saying the same rules apply to all teams. It said Bangladesh’s participation had been linked to a domestic league issue involving one player, which had no connection to World Cup security arrangements.
With Scotland now officially included, the ICC indicated that no further changes would be made to the tournament schedule.
What lies ahead
Bangladesh’s exit has raised questions about security, governance and decision-making in international cricket. While several Bangladesh players reportedly wanted to play in the World Cup, the final decision rested with the government.
As preparations for the T20 World Cup enter the final stage, the tournament will go ahead without Bangladesh, marking one of the most controversial exits in recent ICC history.
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