Bangladesh kicked out! ICC replaces Tigers with Scotland for 2026 T20 World Cup

by Devesh Jaganath

image Bangladesh kicked out! ICC replaces Tigers with Scotland for 2026 T20 World Cup
Just two weeks before the 2026 T20 World Cup kicks off, the International Cricket Council has kicked Bangladesh out of the tournament owing to their refusal to travel to India. It has since been confirmed that Scotland have been called up to replace the Tigers in the global showpiece next month.

ICC reject BCB’s request for T20 World Cup venue change 

After weeks of negotiations, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have passed a final ruling on the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to have the Tigers’ matches at the 2026 T20 World Cup moved to co-host Sri Lanka. Check out our T20 World Cup predictions.

Following the removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League, the BCB cited security concerns as the reason for not wanting to travel to India for the global spectacle next month. 

However, after several meetings between cricket’s governing body and the BCB, it was decided that there was “no credible or verifiable threat to the safety of the team,” followed by the ICC removing Bangladesh from the competition altogether. The ICC’s official correspondence read: 

“The BCB is not agreeable to playing the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 per the match schedule with their matches in India. We are, therefore, going ahead with the Board's decision to replace Bangladesh in the tournament.

“Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to participate in the tournament per the published match schedule.”

Since the ICC’s ruling, it is understood that the BCB have indicated that they would like to take the matter to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee for further consideration. However, it is unlikely that the decision will be reversed since the ICC Board voted by a clear majority for a replacement team if Bangladesh chose not to travel to India. 

Scotland reacts to surprise call-up for T20 World Cup

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Following confirmation of Bangladesh’s omission, Cricket Scotland shared their reaction to the surprise call-up from the ICC, while adding that they are ready for the global competition despite the limited preparation time. 

Scotland will now return the competition to the original 20-team format. They were the highest-ranked team in the world to have not qualified for the tournament, having failed to get through the European regional qualifiers. Cricket Scotland’s chief, Trudy Lindblade, said: 

“Earlier today, I received correspondence from the ICC asking if our men’s team would play at the Men’s T20 World Cup, and we have accepted. Our squad have been training for some weeks in preparation for upcoming tours and are now preparing to arrive in India imminently to acclimatise to local conditions, ready to play and contribute to what should be a fantastic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.” 

Scotland will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C at the T20 World Cup and will open their campaign against the West Indies on February 7. They will then face Italy, arch-rivals England, and Nepal on February 9, 14 and 17, respectively.