Scotland Replaces Bangladesh in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 After BCB Refuses to Play in India

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to participate under the tournament’s scheduled fixtures, which require their group-stage matches to be played in India.

The development ends weeks of uncertainty following Bangladesh’s repeated requests to alter their venue due to security concerns. The BCB had proposed shifting their group-stage matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety risks in the wake of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The board even suggested a swap of groups with Ireland to avoid playing in India.

However, after extensive deliberation, the ICC concluded that the safety of the Bangladesh team is not under threat. The governing body emphasized that with the tournament set to commence on February 7, it was not feasible to adjust the fixtures at such short notice.

According to the ICC, the decision followed a comprehensive review process involving multiple rounds of dialogue with the BCB, both via video conferencing and in-person meetings. Independent security assessments were commissioned, covering federal and state-level arrangements as well as enhanced and escalated security protocols for players, officials, and supporters.

The ICC stated: “The assessments concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, officials, or supporters in India.” These assurances were repeatedly shared at every stage of the discussion, including with the ICC Business Corporation (IBC) Board.

Following the conclusion of the review, the ICC gave the Bangladesh Cricket Board a 24-hour deadline to confirm participation. As no confirmation was received within the stipulated period, the ICC proceeded according to its established governance and qualification protocols to identify a replacement team.

Consequently, Scotland has been selected to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, alongside England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies. The Scottish team enters the tournament as the next-highest ranked T20I team that had initially missed out on qualification, having finished fourth in the original standings.

Currently ranked 14th in the ICC T20 rankings, Scotland is ahead of several competing teams, including Namibia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, the USA, Canada, Oman, and Italy. Scotland will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 7.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Scotland has replaced a team in the T20 World Cup. In 2009, Scotland participated in the tournament held in England after Zimbabwe withdrew due to political reasons. Like then, Scotland now has the opportunity to compete at the global stage under unexpected circumstances.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted the transparent and constructive approach taken throughout the decision-making process. He said, “Over more than three weeks, we engaged with the BCB to address their concerns while ensuring that the tournament schedule and integrity were maintained. The safety and security of all participants remain our top priority.”

The move also reflects the ICC’s broader strategy to uphold the tournament schedule and maintain competitive balance, ensuring that no last-minute changes disrupt the preparation of other teams. With the tournament just weeks away, the governing body emphasized that fairness, logistical feasibility, and adherence to prior security assessments guided their decision.

With Scotland now confirmed, cricket fans will witness an exciting new dynamic in Group C. Analysts suggest that Scotland’s presence adds a competitive edge, as the team has historically performed strongly in T20 qualifiers and can challenge established sides. The Scottish squad, led by their experienced captain, will now aim to make a mark in the global tournament, hoping to replicate past successes.

The ICC’s announcement formally concludes the weeks-long uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation, allowing organizers, teams, and fans to focus on the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which promises high-octane cricket action starting February 7 in India.