Scotland could replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India, if the Bangladesh Cricket Board decides to withdraw from the tournament. As per current international rankings, Scotland is the next eligible team in line to secure a spot in the event in the event of Bangladesh’s exit.
The International Cricket Council has given the Bangladesh Cricket Board one additional day to take a final call on its participation. This comes after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate its T20 World Cup fixtures from India to Sri Lanka.
According to ICC sources, the decision was taken during a Board meeting held via video conference on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Of the 16 member boards, 14 voted against the relocation request, with only Bangladesh and Pakistan supporting the proposal. The ICC stated that the matches would proceed as scheduled, as there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials, or fans at any of the designated venues in India.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam said he remains hopeful of a change in stance after consulting the Bangladesh government once more. He reiterated that while players are keen to participate, the board’s concerns stem from broader security considerations beyond just the team.
The situation escalated following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the Indian Premier League, following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Subsequently, the BCB announced that its national team would not travel to India for its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing security concerns and national considerations.
If Bangladesh formally withdraws, Scotland is expected to step in as the replacement team for the tournament.
