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The International Cricket Council has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to play its scheduled matches in India.
The decision was taken following nearly three weeks of discussions between the ICC and the BCB. Bangladesh remained firm on its stance that it would not travel to India due to security concerns, despite repeated assurances from the ICC.
According to the ICC, the issue was discussed during an emergency meeting of the ICC Business Corporation Board earlier this week. Following the meeting, Bangladesh was given a 24-hour deadline to confirm whether it would participate in the tournament under the existing schedule.
The ICC stated that no confirmation was received from the BCB within the given timeframe. As a result, the board moved forward with its decision to replace Bangladesh in line with ICC governance and qualification regulations.
In an official statement, the ICC said it had carefully reviewed the security concerns raised by Bangladesh. Independent security assessments were carried out by both internal and external experts, and detailed security and operational plans were shared with the BCB.
The ICC concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh team, officials, or supporters in India. Based on these findings, the board decided it was not appropriate to alter the tournament schedule so close to the start date.
Scotland has been confirmed as Bangladesh’s replacement for the tournament. The team will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, Italy, and Sri Lanka.
Scotland is currently ranked 14th in T20 internationals and was the next-highest ranked team to miss out on direct qualification. Cricket Scotland welcomed the decision, stating that the squad is preparing to travel to India to begin acclimatisation ahead of the tournament.
The situation escalated earlier in January after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. Although no official reason was given, the move came amid rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Following this development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board informed the ICC that it was not comfortable sending its team to India for the World Cup and requested that its matches be moved to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
The ICC rejected the request, stating that a domestic league matter involving one player could not be linked to World Cup security arrangements.
Bangladesh were scheduled to play their group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. These fixtures will now be played by Scotland, with no changes to venues or match dates.
The ICC confirmed that Bangladesh will not participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on February 7, with matches hosted across India and Sri Lanka.
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The decision was taken following nearly three weeks of discussions between the ICC and the BCB. Bangladesh remained firm on its stance that it would not travel to India due to security concerns, despite repeated assurances from the ICC.
ICC Confirms Decision After Deadline Passed
According to the ICC, the issue was discussed during an emergency meeting of the ICC Business Corporation Board earlier this week. Following the meeting, Bangladesh was given a 24-hour deadline to confirm whether it would participate in the tournament under the existing schedule.
The ICC stated that no confirmation was received from the BCB within the given timeframe. As a result, the board moved forward with its decision to replace Bangladesh in line with ICC governance and qualification regulations.
Security Concerns Reviewed by ICC
In an official statement, the ICC said it had carefully reviewed the security concerns raised by Bangladesh. Independent security assessments were carried out by both internal and external experts, and detailed security and operational plans were shared with the BCB.
The ICC concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh team, officials, or supporters in India. Based on these findings, the board decided it was not appropriate to alter the tournament schedule so close to the start date.
Scotland Named as Replacement Team
Scotland has been confirmed as Bangladesh’s replacement for the tournament. The team will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, Italy, and Sri Lanka.
Scotland is currently ranked 14th in T20 internationals and was the next-highest ranked team to miss out on direct qualification. Cricket Scotland welcomed the decision, stating that the squad is preparing to travel to India to begin acclimatisation ahead of the tournament.
Background to the Dispute
The situation escalated earlier in January after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. Although no official reason was given, the move came amid rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Following this development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board informed the ICC that it was not comfortable sending its team to India for the World Cup and requested that its matches be moved to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
The ICC rejected the request, stating that a domestic league matter involving one player could not be linked to World Cup security arrangements.
Bangladesh to Miss T20 World Cup 2026
Bangladesh were scheduled to play their group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. These fixtures will now be played by Scotland, with no changes to venues or match dates.
The ICC confirmed that Bangladesh will not participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on February 7, with matches hosted across India and Sri Lanka.
watch live match using CricCatch