T20 World Cup 2026: ICC replaces Bangladesh with Scotland, finds ‘no security threat'

• ICC says decision follows process to address BCB concerns.
• Says no “credible security threat” to Bangladesh team in India.
• PCB chief terms ICC’s decision regarding Bangladesh "unfair".
  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 over Dhaka's refusal to send team to India for the mega event, the global cricket governing body said on Saturday.

In a statement, the ICC said: “Scotland has been called up to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, joining England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.”

The announcement comes after the ICC, in the absence of any “credible or verifiable security threat” to the Bangladesh national team in India, rejected BCB’s request to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka, who are co-hosts of the tournament which commences on February 7, read the statement.

The decision follows an extensive process undertaken by the ICC to address concerns raised by the BCB regarding the hosting of its scheduled matches in India. Over a period of more than three weeks, the ICC engaged with the BCB through multiple rounds of dialogue conducted in a transparent and constructive manner, including meetings held both via video conference and in-person, the statement added.

As part of this process, the ICC said it reviewed the concerns cited by the BCB, commissioned and considered independent security assessments from internal and external experts, and shared detailed security and operational plans covering federal and state arrangements, as well as enhanced and escalating security protocols for the event. 

"These assurances were reiterated at several stages, including during discussions involving the ICC Business Corporation (IBC) Board."

The ICC’s assessments concluded that there was no "credible or verifiable security threat" to the Bangladesh national team, officials or supporters in India. In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule, as per the statement. 

The ICC also noted the importance of preserving the integrity and sanctity of the tournament schedule, safeguarding the interests of all participating teams and fans, and avoiding the establishment of precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events.

Following its meeting on Wednesday, the IBC Board requested the BCB to confirm, within a 24-hour timeframe, whether Bangladesh would participate in the tournament as scheduled. As no confirmation was received within the stipulated deadline, the ICC proceeded in line with its established governance and qualification processes to identify a replacement team.

Scotland are the highest-ranked T20I side not to originally qualify for the tournament. They are currently ranked 14th, ahead of seven teams already in the tournament, Namibia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal, the United States of America (USA), Canada, Oman and Italy.

PCB opposes Bangladesh's exclusion 

Meanwhile, speaking to the media today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take decision regarding the participation in the tournament in line with the Government of Pakistan’s direction.

“Prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently not in the country. We will announce the final decision after he [PM] returns to the country,” Naqvi, who is also the chairman of PCB, said while responding to a question related to what would be Pakistan’s stance on ICC decision regarding Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh has been treated unfairly. I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country," Naqvi continued.

"That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder, and this injustice should not be done," he added.

Naqvi further called out BCCI's influence in ICC's decision-making, stating "one country cannot dictate another" and warned Pakistan would take a stance if the dictation was attempted.

"The thing is that Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan. And our stance is that if you have done this favour with Pakistan and India, then you should do the same with Bangladesh," he said.

"The main reason for this is that one country cannot dictate another. And if this dictation is attempted, then Pakistan definitely has its own stance," he said.

“Bangladesh is a major stakeholder and it should be made part of the tournament,” he added.

India-Bangladesh tensions

The development came amid strained relations between India and its neighbour, with ties already strained after Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi following protests against her.

Political tensions have spilled into cricket.

Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from this year's Indian Premier League despite signing with its Kolkata franchise. Bangladesh responded by banning IPL broadcasts in the country and demanding to play World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.

The standoff mirrors previous tensions in South Asian cricket.

For the Champions Trophy last year, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) stuck to its policy of not touring Pakistan because of the strained political ties between the bitter neighbours, who play each other only in ICC events.

Like for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, a 'hybrid model' was agreed on under which India were allowed to play their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai to salvage the tournament.

Under the agreement running until 2027, Pakistan will play in a neutral venue for any ICC event, including the T20 World Cup where they are scheduled to play their matches in Sri Lanka.

The 20-team World Cup is set to begin on February 7.

— With additional input from Reuters