Dubai | January 24, 2026: Bangladesh have been officially excluded from the ICC T20 World Cup, while Scotland have been approved as their replacement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Friday.
According to Indian media reports, Scotland have been placed in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. The inclusion of Scotland is expected to make the group more competitive and unpredictable.
The decision comes after Bangladesh’s appeal to the ICC’s dispute resolution committee was rejected, with the committee stating that the matter does not fall within its jurisdiction.
Security Concerns Behind Bangladesh Exit
Bangladesh had refused to play its World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) demanded that its matches be shifted from Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka, a request that was turned down by the ICC.
The controversy began earlier when IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, following which the Bangladeshi government imposed a ban on IPL broadcasts in the country.
Heavy Financial Loss Likely
Sources say Bangladesh could suffer a financial loss of nearly $27 million (around 32.5 billion taka) due to its exclusion from the mega event.
Meanwhile, the ICC has launched an investigation into possible “political interference” in the matter. If it is proven that decisions were made under government pressure, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s ICC membership could be suspended.