Bangladesh From T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially removed Bangladesh from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The decision was made after Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the tournament due to security concerns.
As a result, Scotland has been included as the replacement team and will now compete in Group C.
Bangladesh Replaced by Scotland in Group C
Following the ICC’s ruling, Scotland will now take Bangladesh’s place in Group C.
The group includes:
- England
- West Indies
- Nepal
- Italy
- Scotland
This change comes just weeks before the tournament begins, making it one of the most significant decisions in recent ICC history.
Why Bangladesh Was Removed From the Tournament
The issue started in early January 2026.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka.
The request was based on concerns about player safety.
However, the ICC did not find any credible security threat in India.
Because of this, the ICC rejected the request and asked the BCB to confirm whether the team would travel under the existing schedule.
Bangladesh Government Declines Travel Permission
After discussions with government officials, the Bangladesh government refused to grant permission for the national team to travel to India.
On January 21, 2026, both the government and the BCB officially announced a boycott of the tournament.
This confirmation was later sent to the ICC via email on Friday evening.
Emergency ICC Board Meeting
An emergency ICC Board meeting was held via video conference on Wednesday.
During the meeting:
- ICC directors discussed the possible outcomes
- A majority voted to replace Bangladesh
- The decision was made final after Bangladesh refused to travel
The ICC stated that changing venues so close to the tournament start date was not feasible.
ICC Statement on the Decision
In its official statement, the ICC explained its position clearly.
The ICC said that altering the tournament schedule without a proven security threat could:
- Damage the integrity of ICC events
- Create a dangerous precedent
- Undermine the ICC’s neutrality as a global body
The board emphasized that all host venues had already passed security assessments.
Scheduled Matches Bangladesh Was Set to Play
Before being removed, Bangladesh was scheduled to play:
- West Indies – February 7 (Kolkata)
- Italy – February 9 (Kolkata)
- England – February 14 (Kolkata)
- Nepal – February 17 (Mumbai)
These matches will now be played by Scotland instead.
Mustafizur Rahman Incident Added Tension
Tensions increased after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.
The release followed instructions linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
This incident further strained relations and contributed to Bangladesh’s decision.
ICC Men T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Remains Unchanged
Despite the controversy, the ICC confirmed that the tournament will proceed as planned.
- Start Date: February 7, 2026
- End Date: March 8, 2026
- Host Countries: India and Sri Lanka
All venues and match dates remain unchanged.
What This Means for Bangladesh Cricket
Being removed from a World Cup is a major setback for Bangladesh cricket.
Possible consequences include:
- Loss of international exposure
- Impact on player morale
- Financial and sponsorship losses
- Reduced ranking opportunities
The ICC has not confirmed whether Bangladesh may face additional sanctions.
What This Means for Scotland
For Scotland, this decision is a major opportunity.
Benefits include:
- Competing on the world stage
- Facing top international teams
- Increased visibility for Scottish cricket
- Valuable experience for players
Scotland now has a rare chance to make a strong impact in Group C.
Cricket World Reacts to ICC Decision
The decision has sparked mixed reactions.
Some experts support the ICC’s stance on neutrality and scheduling.
Others believe player safety concerns should carry more weight.
Fans across the world continue to debate whether the decision was fair.
Conclusion
The ICC’s decision to remove Bangladesh from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 marks a historic and controversial moment in international cricket.
While the tournament will continue as planned in India and Sri Lanka, the absence of Bangladesh and the inclusion of Scotland will significantly change the dynamics of Group C.
