In a big turn of events, International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that Bangladesh is no more part of T20 World Cup 2026. Sports Tak has learnt that ICC has communicated the news to BCB via letter as Bangladesh's replacement should be announced anytime soon.
ICC confirms Bangladesh's ouster T20 World Cup
It has also been learnt that Scotland is all set to replace Bangladesh in the marquee tournament which is slated to get underway from February 7. BCB knocked ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee's (DRC) door but nothing worked in their favour.
ICC earlier rejected BCB's request to shift Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. The decision was taken during ICC board meeting, which passed the 14-2 verdict against Bangladesh.
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ICC issued a final ultimatum to BCB, warning that the national team faces removal from the T20 World Cup 2026 if travel to India is not confirmed immediately. Following a period of uncertainty, ICC then granted the BCB just one final day to provide a definitive decision regarding their participation.
This escalating tension reached a breaking point during a recent ICC meeting, where members voted on how to handle the stalemate. A majority of the board backed a resolution to move forward with a replacement team should Bangladesh decline to travel. This vote effectively ends any possibility of further negotiations, signaling that the ICC will not entertain requests for venue changes or a neutral ground.
The core of the dispute lies in Bangladesh’s refusal to play its scheduled group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing significant security concerns. While the BCB has remained firm on its stance, the ICC’s latest move clarifies that the tournament will proceed as planned in India, with or without Bangladesh’s involvement.
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Blessing in disguise for Scotland
It was nothing short of blessing in disguise for Scotland. While they showcased strong form during the 2022 and 2024 editions, they narrowly missed out on the Super 8 stages both times. Their 2024 campaign was particularly notable for the competitive pressure they applied to cricket giants Australia and England before their eventual elimination.
The path to this year’s tournament was initially difficult for the Scottish side. During the European qualifiers, they finished behind Italy, the Netherlands, and Jersey, leaving their participation in doubt. However, their high ICC ranking made them the primary choice to replace Bangladesh following the latter’s withdrawal, granting Scotland a backdoor entry into the prestigious competition.
Scotland will join Group C, where they are set to compete against England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal. Their tournament schedule begins on February 7 with a high-stakes opener against the West Indies in Kolkata. This will be followed by a clash with Italy on February 9 at Eden Gardens, and a highly anticipated rematch against England at the same venue five days later.
The team will conclude their group-stage fixtures in Mumbai on February 17, where they will face Nepal. This sudden inclusion provides Scotland with a fresh chance to capitalize on their recent momentum and finally break through to the knockout rounds on the world stage.