ICC decides to exclude Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026! This unusual change took place due to security concerns, Scotland got a place. Know the details ICC decides to exclude Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026! This unusual change took place due to security concerns, Scotland got a place. Find out the details.
In an unexpected and controversial move in the cricket world, Bangladesh has pulled out of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to not play its matches in India, citing security concerns, and replaced them with Scotland for not playing as per the published fixtures. The unprecedented move has changed the course of the entire Group C just days before the tournament begins.
Security concerns and a complex series of negotiations
The incident began when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested the ICC to move all its matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka. They argued that there was a specific security threat to the Bangladesh team and its fans in India.
The ICC investigated the allegations in depth. Over the course of nearly three weeks, multiple rounds of discussions with the BCB took place, including video conferences and face-to-face meetings. The ICC commissioned assessments by its own and external independent security experts and reviewed detailed security and operational plans from the Indian central and state governments.
ICC’s final verdict and Bangladesh’s fate decided
After an emergency meeting last Wednesday, the ICC gave the BCB a 24-hour ultimatum – either guarantee to play in India as per the published schedule or face the consequences. Since Bangladesh did not provide any assurance, the ICC invited the next highest ranked ineligible team, Scotland, as per its rules.
BCB’s claim and ICC’s counterargument:
- BCB’s claim: Apart from the security risk, they also cited the incident of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman being removed from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders as an example.
- ICC’s response: The ICC described the incident as completely separate from the security issue of the tournament. According to them, “there is no credible or verifiable security threat against the Bangladesh team, officials or fans in India.” They also said that making such a major fixture change at the start of the tournament is not realistic and could set a harmful precedent that would encourage any team in the future to demand a change of match venue as per their convenience.
The new picture of Group C and its potential impact
The inclusion of Scotland has completely changed the dynamics of Group C.
| Team Name | Current Status (2026 World Cup) | T20I Ranking (At Time of Update) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Original team | 3 | One of the group favorites |
| West Indies | Original team (Co-host) | 7 | Will have home advantage |
| Scotland | Replacing Bangladesh | 14 | Got opportunity on world stage |
| Nepal | Original team | 31 | Will fight as underdog |
| Italy | Original team | 33 | European representative |
Scotland (currently ranked 14th) is actually a higher-ranked team than Namibia (15th), Nepal (31st) or Italy (33rd) entering the World Cup, so their inclusion makes the group even more competitive.
The updated fixtures list for the Men’s #T20WorldCup 2026 📋
More details ➡️ https://t.co/M61nOzx2fF pic.twitter.com/deynITDuV3
— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2026
Background and reactions of other teams
- Bangladesh’s position: A senior BCB official claimed that they wanted to play, but the Bangladesh government imposed a travel ban on India due to security reasons. Without government approval, the national team’s foreign tour to Bangladesh is not possible.
- Pakistan’s threat: Condemning the decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called it “hypocritical” and threatened to boycott the tournament in solidarity with Bangladesh. However, the final decision of Pakistan rests with their government.
- Scotland’s response: Scotland Cricket called the decision “an unexpected but welcome opportunity“. The team has set itself the goal of quickly preparing and proving its mettle on the world stage.
A new chapter in cricket politics
The incident has sparked a deep political and administrative crisis before the start of the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. It has not only changed the participation of one team, but has also exposed the complex relationship between security, politics and sports governance in international cricket. While the ICC has stood by its policy, the reactions of teams like Bangladesh and Pakistan offer important clues about the future course of the South Asian Cricket Alliance. Read more
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