Bangladesh lose T20 World Cup spot after India dispute: report

ICC has formally invited Scotland to replace the Bengal Tigers in the event

Scotland have replaced Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, after cricket’s governing body lost patience with Bangladesh’s refusal to play its matches on Indian soil, reports Cricbuzz.

The decision followed a 24-hour ultimatum issued earlier this week by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), asking it to confirm participation under the existing fixtures. When Bangladesh failed to comply, the ICC moved to safeguard the tournament’s schedule and competitive integrity.

ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta formally informed the ICC Board on Saturday that the BCB was not adhering to a binding board decision and that Bangladesh’s demands were inconsistent with ICC policy, sources said. In the same communication, Gupta recommended inviting Scotland as a replacement, a proposal that was accepted. The correspondence was copied to BCB president Aminul Islam, an ICC Board member.

Gupta is also understood to have written to Cricket Scotland, extending a formal invitation to participate in the T20 World Cup to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While Cricket Scotland did not immediately comment publicly, sources said talks between ICC headquarters in Dubai and officials in Edinburgh began early on Saturday.

Scotland’s inclusion is based on recent performances in ICC events and their current world ranking of 14. At the T20 World Cup 2024, Scotland finished third in Group B on the same points as England but missed out on progression due to net run-rate. In 2022, they stunned West Indies in the group stage, while in 2021 they beat Bangladesh—the very team they now replace—topping their group before going winless in the Super 12s.

Under the revised draw, Scotland will be placed in Group C, opening their campaign against West Indies on February 7, followed by matches against Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) in Kolkata, before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17.

The ICC had repeatedly engaged with the BCB, allowing time to reconsider its stance on playing in India. However, the governing body was keen to avoid setting a precedent whereby member boards could demand venue changes for global events without substantiated security grounds.

At an ICC Board meeting on January 21, all but two members rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their matches out of India after independent security assessments concluded the threat level was “low to moderate”. The ICC then issued a 24-hour deadline for compliance.

Bangladesh disputed the findings, arguing the threat was “moderate to high”, and cited broader political concerns. The standoff intensified earlier this month after the IPL snub of pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders following a directive from the Indian board—an episode that sparked anger in Dhaka.

Despite indications during the Bangladesh Premier League final that a compromise might be possible, the BCB maintained its position and submitted objections even after the deadline had elapsed. By then, ICC officials said, patience had run out.

On Saturday, Gupta informed board members that, in line with the January 21 decision, the ICC was compelled to replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2026. The move underscores the ICC’s resolve to protect the sanctity of its marquee event amid rising geopolitical tensions, while handing Scotland a rare opportunity on cricket’s biggest stage.