Scotland to Replace Bangladesh in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played in India and Sri Lanka starting from February 7, will see Scotland’s cricket team stepping in to replace Bangladesh. This decision was made by the ICC after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stood firm on their decision not to travel to India.
According to a source close to the development, the official confirmation from the ICC is expected to be announced soon. The BCB had expressed concerns about security issues amidst deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh, requesting for their matches to be relocated to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has maintained that the tournament will proceed as scheduled, with Bangladesh’s matches still set to be played in India.
Following the BCCI’s directive to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to political tensions, the ICC gave a 24-hour deadline to the BCB to confirm their participation in the T20 World Cup.
As Scotland is the highest-ranked team that did not initially qualify for the tournament, they have been chosen as the replacement for Bangladesh. The team will be placed in Group C during the preliminary stage, facing off against the West Indies, Italy, and England in Kolkata. Their final group stage match will be against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
This development marks a significant turn of events for Scotland, as they gear up to compete on the global stage and showcase their talent in the T20 World Cup. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament approaches.
