Quickpost | Bangladesh
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, according to a report by leading cricket news outlet Cricbuzz.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7 and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Why Bangladesh Were Dropped
Cricbuzz reported that the decision was taken after Bangladesh maintained its position of not travelling to India, even after the matter was put to a vote at the ICC Board.
During the vote:
- 14 members voted against Bangladesh’s position
- Only 2 supported it
- Despite the verdict, Bangladesh did not change its stance
As a result, the ICC was left with no alternative but to invite a replacement team.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta formally informed the ICC Board that Bangladesh’s demands were not in line with ICC policy, making participation impossible under existing conditions.
BCB Officially Informed
A copy of the ICC communication was sent to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam, who is also a member of the ICC Board.
The letter stated clearly that:
- The BCB was not complying with the ICC Board’s decision
- Inviting a replacement team was the only remaining option
Why Scotland
Scotland were:
- The highest-ranked team among those who failed to qualify directly
- The first choice replacement if Bangladesh withdrew
Following the decision, Scotland will compete in Group C of the tournament.
Scotland’s Group Stage Fixtures
- February 7: vs West Indies (Kolkata)
- February 9: vs Italy (Kolkata)
- February 14: vs England (Kolkata)
- February 17: vs Nepal (Mumbai)
A Bigger Message for Bangladesh Cricket
This decision is more than just missing a tournament.
It sends a clear message that:
- Rigid positions in international cricket come with consequences
- ICC decisions leave little room for unilateral defiance
- Diplomatic and administrative choices directly affect on-field participation
Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup is therefore not just a cricketing setback, but a reflection of cricket diplomacy, board-level governance, and international alignment.
The key question now is—where does Bangladesh cricket go from here?
