In a dramatic turn of events for international cricket, Scotland is set to take Bangladesh’s spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The decision comes amid escalating political tensions that have left the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unwilling to travel to India for the tournament.
Bangladesh’s government issued a stark warning earlier this week, stating that unless the ICC relocates their matches to another venue, their team would not participate. ICC insiders revealed to news agencies that the Governing Body has now turned to Scotland, the highest-ranked team among those who failed to qualify directly, as the ideal replacement.
The controversy stems from strained India-Bangladesh relations, prompting the BCB to cite security concerns and request all their games be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka. Despite the ICC issuing a 24-hour ultimatum for the BCB to commit to the original schedule, Bangladesh stood firm, refusing to budge.
This development follows the BCCI’s directive to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026, underscoring the real-world impacts of the diplomatic rift. The ICC has maintained that the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7, will proceed as planned, but with potential adjustments to the lineup.
If confirmed, Scotland would slot into Group C for the group stage. Their fixtures include clashes against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, all at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. The Scots would wrap up their group campaign against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.
Cricket fans worldwide are watching closely as this last-minute change could reshape group dynamics and inject fresh excitement into what promises to be a fiercely competitive World Cup. Official confirmation from the ICC is expected imminently, marking a significant moment for associate nations like Scotland on the global stage.