Bangladesh cricket team - (Source: X.Com)
The T20 World Cup 2026 controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s participation has taken a new turn, as the ICC has clearly instructed the BCB that there is no security threat in India. The Tigers have until January 21st to decide whether they want to travel to India or not.
For the unversed, Bangladesh wants its games to be moved out of India following the recent tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The ICC adhered to the demands and sent a delegate to Dhaka for talks.
However, the Jay Shah-led council found nothing concrete and have handed an ultimatam to Bangladesh till January 21 that they will replace the Litton Das-led side with another team if they refuse to come to India.
Scotland to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026
Notably, if the Bangla Tigers continue to maintain its current stance even after January 21, the ICC will replace The Tigers with Scotland. Notably, Bangladesh qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 via direct qualification.
According to direct qualification rules, the top 7 teams from the previous tournament, excluding hosts, earn a direct qualification for the next edition. At present, the Bangla Tigers are ranked ninth, and the team below them earns a qualification spot for the T20 World Cup 2026 if Bangladesh are removed from the tournament.
Interestingly, Afghanistan, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands are already part of the World Cup. Meanwhile, Scotland, who are 14th on the list, will earn a qualification and will be placed in group C alongside England, Italy, the West Indies, and Nepal.
Scotland given another lifeline by ICC for T20 World Cup 2026
Notably, Scotland missed out on T20 World Cup qualification after they finished fourth on the table in European qualifiers with just a solitary win in four matches. Interestingly, if Scotland replaces the Bengal in the T20 World Cup, then it will be their 7th appearance in the tournament.
However, if Scotland gets placed in group C, it will be the only group to have three teams from the same continent. Notably, Scotland, England, and Italy are all from Europe, and no other group has such a problem.
ICC assures Ireland of not swapping the group
The matter intensified when BCB put forward a request to ICC that they should swap their group with Ireland, who are playing all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka. However, the International Cricket Council has assured them of no such action because the ICC has found Bangladesh's plea to be baseless.
“We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the Group Stage in Sri Lanka,” an official from Cricket Ireland told Cricbuzz in a statement.
For the unversed, Ireland are placed in Group B with Australia, Oman, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe and will all their games in Sri Lanka and that too in two venues. However, they will have games in India if they qualify for further rounds.
