New Delhi: The International Cricket Council is preparing to move ahead without Bangladesh at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board failed to respond within a 24-hour deadline on whether the team would travel to India for the tournament.
According to media reports, the ICC had sought a clear confirmation from Dhaka, warning that silence or refusal would activate contingency plans. With no formal communication reaching the ICC within the stipulated window, the governing body is now expected to initiate the process of inviting Scotland as a replacement.
Bangladesh’s position has remained unchanged. Government officials in Dhaka have reiterated that the team will not travel to India, citing security concerns for players and officials. Sports adviser Asif Nazrul reportely said the decision was taken by the government and would not be altered, arguing that assurances from international bodies were insufficient in light of past incidents involving Bangladeshi players.
The stance follows a series of meetings in Dhaka involving the BCB, government representatives and senior national team members. While several players reportedly expressed their desire to participate in the World Cup, the board and the government held firm, insisting that matches be shifted to a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka — a request the ICC has already rejected.
From the ICC’s perspective, the options are limited. A written confirmation from Bangladesh would resolve the issue immediately. Continued refusal or ambiguity, however, obliges the tournament organiser to ensure the integrity of the event by filling the slot. Reports indicate that Scotland, next in line through qualification pathways, is ready to be called up at short notice.
Bangladesh are currently drawn in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal, with their opening fixtures scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Their potential absence would not only reshape the group but also mark a rare instance of a full-member nation missing a global ICC event due to a political and security impasse.
For Scotland, an invitation would represent a sudden elevation to cricket’s biggest stage. For Bangladesh, exclusion would carry consequences far beyond a single tournament, underscoring how unresolved standoffs at the intersection of sport and geopolitics can leave lasting marks on international competition.
