New Delhi, January 24, 2026: The International Cricket Council has formally informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board that the national team has been replaced by Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup after Bangladesh declined to travel to India citing security concerns, sources said.
The decision was finalised on Friday in Dubai, where senior ICC officials, including chairman Jay Shah, were present. An official communication was sent late in the evening to BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul, stating that Bangladesh had forfeited its place in the tournament after failing to confirm participation within the stipulated deadline.
According to an ICC official familiar with the developments, the Bangladesh Cricket Board did not convey its decision through official channels within the 24-hour window provided by the ICC. Instead, the board addressed the issue through a press conference in Dhaka, which was described as a breach of established protocol.
The official said the BCB had been clearly informed that its slot in the tournament would be allotted to Scotland in the event of non-confirmation. Bangladesh’s reluctance to travel reportedly followed advice from Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, who recommended against touring India despite repeated security assurances from the ICC.
Cricket Scotland, meanwhile, has said it is yet to receive formal confirmation from the ICC, although sources indicated that an official announcement is expected shortly.
Scotland is scheduled to play four group-stage matches in the tournament, beginning against West Indies on February 7, followed by fixtures against Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 in Kolkata, before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
