- ICC confirms late tournament shake-up after BCB refusal to play in India
- Scotland drafted into Group C alongside England, West Indies and Nepal
- ICC cites no credible security threat following independent assessments
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to participate under the tournament’s published schedule. The decision was formally announced on Saturday (24), less than a month before the event begins on February 7, marking one of the most significant late changes in World Cup history.
Bangladesh’s withdrawal comes after the ICC rejected the BCB’s request to shift its India-hosted matches to Sri Lanka, despite Sri Lanka being a co-host nation. According to the ICC, multiple independent security assessments, conducted by both internal and external experts, found no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh team, officials or supporters in India.
In a detailed statement, the ICC said it engaged in more than three weeks of discussions with the BCB, including virtual and in-person meetings, and shared comprehensive security and operational plans covering federal, state and event-level arrangements. The governing body concluded that altering the schedule so close to the tournament would not be appropriate, citing broader logistical and governance implications.
Following a final meeting, the BCB was given 24 hours to confirm participation under the existing schedule. With no confirmation received within the deadline, the ICC proceeded under its established qualification framework to identify a replacement team. Scotland, the next-highest ranked T20I side outside automatic qualification, were selected, currently sitting 14th in the ICC rankings, above several teams already in the tournament.
Scotland will now compete in Group C, joining England, West Indies, Nepal and Italy, presenting a major opportunity for the European side on cricket’s biggest T20 stage. For Bangladesh, the withdrawal represents a damaging absence from a global event, while for Scotland it marks an unexpected but deserved return to the World Cup spotlight.
