ICC Replaces Bangladesh With Scotland in T20 World Cup Amid Security Dispute

In a historic and controversial turn of events that has shocked cricket fans around the world, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking the first time in history a country will miss the World Cup over a principled stand for national honor. After weeks of tense discussions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC, Bangladesh stood firm on its decision not to travel to India for its scheduled group-stage matches, citing serious security concerns rooted in ongoing political issues and the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. Despite repeated requests from Bangladesh to move the matches to Sri Lanka or another neutral venue, the ICC rejected these demands and stuck to the tournament schedule, saying independent assessments showed no credible threats, a conclusion many supporters in Bangladesh feel ignored the real political and emotional climate. With the ICC’s ultimatum deadline now passed and no official confirmation from the BCB to travel, the global governing body moved to eliminate Bangladesh from the event and officially awarded its spot to Scotland, which now joins Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal. Bangladesh’s refusal was never about avoiding competition but about standing up for the safety and dignity of its players and citizens, a stance that has drawn both national pride and international sympathy even as the cricket world absorbs the shock of this unprecedented decision. Many in Bangladesh and across cricketing nations argue that the ICC’s move was unfair and heavily influenced by external pressures, leaving Bangladesh fans and players feeling unjustly treated in a decision that will be debated for years to come.