T20 World Cup 2026: ICC officially replaces Bangladesh with Scotland after weeks of back and forth

The upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup will not feature Bangladesh as Scotland are set to take their place at the marquee event. The Scots will be placed in Group C alongside Italy, Nepal, West Indies, and England.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was adamant not to play T20 World Cup matches in India. They wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) shortly after Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders amid the political tension between Bangladesh and India. In the letter, they requested their matches to be removed from India, citing security concerns in their neighbouring country.

However, ICC rejected the request, giving clearance regarding their safety. However, the BCB, in association with the nation’s government kept on trying. Some reports suggested that the Bangladesh players were given no say in the decision.

On Saturday, January 24, ICC decided that its high time to settle the dispute and they replaced the Tigers with Scotland. While its a pleasant news for Scotland fans, its heartbreaking for the millions of passionate Bangladeshi cricket enthusiasts who have been with their team throughs ups and down in ICC events for several years.