Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, Scotland has officially replaced Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament, set to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka, will now see Scotland compete in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.
Why Was Bangladesh Dropped?
The decision comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India, citing “security and safety concerns.” Despite repeated ICC assurances and independent risk assessments that rated India as low to moderate risk, the BCB remained defiant, insisting on shifting their matches to Sri Lanka — a demand the ICC denied.
Jay Shah Takes Final Call in Dubai
The matter reached a boiling point with ICC Chairman Jay Shah in Dubai, where the final decision was taken. The ICC had earlier warned of strict consequences for non-compliance, ultimately enforcing the replacement.
Scotland Steps In After Weeks of Uncertainty
With Bangladesh refusing to budge, the ICC activated contingency plans. Scotland, the top associate team from northwestern Europe, was selected to fill the vacant spot, ending weeks of uncertainty.
Political Tensions Escalated After Mustafizur Exit
The rift deepened when IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, further fuelling Dhaka’s political discomfort. BCB President Aminul Islam doubled down, stating, “We want to play the World Cup, but not in India… ICC denied our request.” Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul added that the ICC “failed to convince us on security.”
With Scotland’s confirmation, the 2026 T20 World Cup group stage takes a new shape — and Bangladesh’s withdrawal marks an unprecedented exit over geopolitical concerns.
