ICC drops Bangladesh after non-compliance, Scotland steps in as highest-ranked non-qualifier
January 24, 2026: It has been officially confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council (ICC) took the decision on January 24 after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) failed to comply with a 24-hour ultimatum, leaving the governing body with no option but to act with the tournament just weeks away.
According to reports, ICC officials expressed strong displeasure over BCB’s handling of the situation, particularly after Bangladesh publicly announced its refusal to travel before formally informing the ICC. Despite repeated discussions, the board remained non-compliant, prompting the ICC to invite Scotland, the highest-ranked non-qualifier, to take over Bangladesh’s slot in Group C. Scotland will now face West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal across matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Bangladesh’s withdrawal is expected to have major financial repercussions, with estimates suggesting losses of nearly $27 million (around ₹240 crore) from broadcast revenue, sponsorships, and participation fees. A last-ditch appeal by the BCB to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee to shift matches from India to Sri Lanka over safety concerns was rejected, effectively ending Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.