KEY POINTS
- BCB missed deadline to confirm playing T20 World Cup matches in India.
- ICC cited protocol violation for BCB holding press conference before official communication.
- Decision underscores ICC’s hardline stance, reshaping tournament dynamics weeks before start.
ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has removed Bangladesh from the men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka and named Scotland as their replacement. The decision follows a standoff between the cricket global governing body and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over security concerns in India.
ICC confirms that a decisive email was sent to BCB Chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul late on Friday evening (January 23) after the board failed to meet a 24-hour deadline to confirm their participation.
“The BCB did a press conference in Dhaka before officially informing the global body, which is a violation of protocol. They have been categorically told that they are being replaced,” an ICC official told.
The official added, “An e-mail was sent last evening, intimating him that his board didn’t get back to ICC officially after the 24-hour deadline that was given to them to decide if they wanted to come to India, so a decision has been taken.”
Security fears in India
The BCB’s refusal to travel stemmed from heightened security apprehensions following the controversial ouster of Bangladesh pace spearhead Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this month.
Despite repeated assurances from the ICC, the Bangladeshi board, advised by Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, remained unconvinced.
Also Read: Bangladesh Slams ICC’s ‘Unacceptable’ Decision, Accuses India of ‘Failed’ Security Assurances
Scotland steps into the fray of T20 World Cup
While Cricket Scotland stated it has yet to receive formal confirmation, the ICC‘s decision is final. Scotland is set to be named the replacement by the end of January 24.
They will inherit Bangladesh’s Group B schedule, playing West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), and England (February 14) in Kolkata, before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
Bangladesh vows to fight
Reacting to the expulsion, BCB officials in Dhaka struck a defiant tone, vowing “Bangladesh won’t play T20 World Cup in India” and promising to “keep fighting.” However, their path for appeal is severely limited.
ICC regulations state that such a tournament participation decision falls under the exclusive purview of the ICC Board and is not subject to appeal through the independent Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC).
This means the ICC’s ruling is effectively irreversible.
Also Read: Bangladesh Denies ICC Deadline as T20 World Cup Venues Remain Undecided
Stunning exclusion
The decision marks a stunning exclusion for a full-member nation from a premier global event, underscoring the ICC’s hardline stance on protocol and deadline adherence.
It propels Scotland, a leading associate nation, into a high-profile group and reshapes the dynamics of the tournament before a ball has been bowled.
