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The global cricketing fraternity is on edge as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 finds itself embroiled in a major controversy just weeks before the tournament is set to begin. Following a crucial board meeting on January 21, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued what is being described as a final ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): honour the scheduled fixtures in India or face exclusion from the tournament altogether.
With the event being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, any last-minute withdrawal would have serious sporting, logistical, and commercial implications. Bangladesh’s potential absence could reshape Group C and alter qualification dynamics heading into the knockout stages.
How the controversy began
The standoff reportedly began after the BCB formally expressed concerns over the safety and security of its players while travelling to India, citing heightened political tensions between the two nations. Matters escalated further when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allegedly directed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, a move that was seen by many as adding fuel to an already sensitive situation.
In response, the BCB requested that Bangladesh’s group-stage matches—scheduled to be played in Kolkata and Mumbai—be shifted to Sri Lanka. However, during the ICC board vote, the proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by a 14–2 margin, with the council maintaining that existing security arrangements were adequate and that altering venues so late would set an undesirable precedent.
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Who will replace Bangladesh if they boycott T20 World Cup 2026?
Should Bangladesh officially withdraw or be removed, the ICC is expected to activate its established late-stage replacement protocol. Under this framework, Scotland cricket team emerge as the frontrunners to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, where England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy are already slotted.
Scotland are currently the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify directly through the regional qualification process, sitting 12th in the ICC men’s T20I rankings. They rank marginally ahead of other contenders such as the Netherlands cricket team and the United Arab Emirates cricket team. Historically, the ICC has preferred selecting the highest-ranked non-qualified side to preserve the tournament’s competitive balance.
A similar situation unfolded in 2009, when Zimbabwe pulled out of the T20 World Cup in England due to political complications. With little time to spare, the ICC turned to Scotland as a replacement, selecting them as the highest-performing side from the global qualifying tournament who had narrowly missed out on direct qualification. This precedent highlights how the ICC has previously relied on the “next best” available team to preserve the competition’s balance and credibility.
Also READ: Wasim Akram predicts the semifinalists of T20 World Cup 2026
