Scotland Takes Bangladesh’s Spot in 2026 T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns, according to ESPN Cricinfo.
ICC Confirms Replacement After Negotiations
The ICC reportedly informed the BCB via email on Friday evening that Scotland would take Bangladesh’s place. The decision followed nearly three weeks of talks after the BCB stated that the Bangladesh government had not approved travel to India for the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7.
Earlier, the BCB indicated it planned to take the matter to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC). The DRC serves as an independent panel to resolve disputes between member boards and the ICC, though the specific grounds for Bangladesh’s appeal remain undisclosed.
Emergency Board Meeting Decides Outcome
The ICC convened an emergency video conference on Wednesday, where a majority of board members voted to replace Bangladesh if it persisted in seeking to move its matches to Sri Lanka.
In a follow-up statement, the ICC said it would not be “feasible” to adjust the tournament schedule at such short notice. The board also noted that changing the schedule without evidence of a security threat could “set a precedent that undermines future ICC events and its neutrality.”
The ICC reportedly allowed the BCB until Thursday to confirm its decision with the Bangladesh government regarding travel to India.
Bangladesh Refuses to Travel
On Thursday, the BCB and the Bangladesh government reaffirmed that the team would not participate in India.
BCB president Aminul Islam criticized the ICC, claiming it applied double standards compared to how it handled the BCCI’s refusal to play in Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Scotland Joins the Tournament
With Bangladesh out, Scotland will now compete in the T20 World Cup. The ICC’s decision ensures the tournament schedule remains intact and reinforces its commitment to maintaining consistency and fairness in international cricket events.
