Source Aljajeera
DUBAI — In a historic and dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially ejected Bangladesh from the upcoming 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday. The decision follows a tense, weeks-long standoff between the global governing body and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over match venues in India.
The ICC confirmed that Scotland will take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, marking the first time a major nation has been removed from a global event due to a refusal to participate according to the established schedule.
The Decision: Security vs. Logistics
The impasse reached a breaking point after the ICC rejected the BCB’s final request to relocate its group matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka. The BCB had cited “security concerns” for its players and staff, but the ICC stood its ground, stating that independent assessments found no “credible or verifiable threat.”
In a formal statement, the ICC noted:
“The decision was taken after considering all security assessments conducted, including independent reviews… all of which indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, media persons, officials, and fans at any of the tournament venues in India.”
The ICC also emphasized that altering the schedule just two weeks before the tournament’s February 7 start date was not feasible and would set a “dangerous precedent” for future global events.
Timeline of the Exit
The friction began earlier this month, reportedly triggered by diplomatic tensions and the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 IPL roster at the BCCI’s behest. This led to:
A Broadcast Ban: Bangladesh banned the broadcast of the IPL within the country.
The Ultimatum: The ICC issued a 24-hour deadline on Wednesday for the BCB to confirm its travel plans to India.
The Final Rejection: On Friday, the BCB remained firm, with Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul stating there was “no scope whatsoever” for changing their decision.
Group C Reshuffle
With Bangladesh officially out, Scotland enters the tournament as the next-highest-ranked team. They will now join a competitive Group C that includes:
England
West Indies
Nepal
Italy
Scotland will take over Bangladesh’s opening fixture against the West Indies at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 7.
What’s Next for Bangladesh?
While the ICC has closed the door on their participation, the BCB is reportedly not backing down. Sources indicate the board may file a petition with the ICC’s independent Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), though experts suggest it is unlikely to change the outcome for the 2026 tournament.
