Bangladesh may be replaced by Scotland if BCB decides not to send team to India for T20 World Cup: Report

Synopsis

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup participation hangs in the balance. A final decision is due January 21. The team's travel to India remains uncertain. The ICC has refused schedule changes. Scotland is the likely replacement if Bangladesh withdraws. The tournament is just three weeks away.

A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup will be taken on January 21, with the team’s travel to India still uncertain. The deadline was conveyed to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during meetings in Dhaka, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo. If Bangladesh opts out, Scotland is likely to be named as the replacement. The uncertainty continues even as the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is just three weeks away.

Play in India or Lose World Cup: ICC to BCB

The ICC has refused to make changes to the tournament schedule. Bangladesh remain in Group C along with Italy, New Zealand, West Indies and Nepal.

As per the current plan, Bangladesh are scheduled to open their campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will play two more group matches at the same venue before their final group game at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Also Read: Noida techie death: 90 minutes of cries, fog, and a deadly pit, how Yuvraj Mehta lost life as a helpless father stood a few feet away

Despite several rounds of talks over the past three weeks, the two sides have not reached a resolution, even as the opening match date draws closer.

Live Events

Group swap ruled out, security assurances offered

In Saturday’s meeting, the ICC also rejected a proposal to swap Bangladesh with Ireland. Such a move would have shifted Bangladesh to Group B and allowed the team to play its early matches in Sri Lanka.

ICC officials assured the BCB that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team in India. The governing body referred to independent risk assessments conducted by internationally recognised security experts.

Scotland may play if Bangladesh pulls out

As per the report quoting sources familiar with the discussions, the final call now rests with the BCB. If the board decides not to send the team to India, the ICC is expected to announce a replacement. Based on current rankings, Scotland is seen as the most likely option.

The overall security risk for the tournament in India has been assessed as low to moderate, similar to other major global sporting events. The assessments reportedly found no direct threat to Bangladesh players, officials or venues in Kolkata and Mumbai, and said the identified risks can be managed through standard security measures, the report said.

BCB open to World Cup, hesitant about India travel

During discussions with the ICC, the BCB said it is willing to play in the T20 World Cup but prefers that its matches be held outside India. The board raised concerns over the safety and security of its players amid political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

The issue drew wider attention after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After that development, the BCB stepped up its request to move Bangladesh’s World Cup matches out of India.

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

JSW Infra’s INR1,200-crore shopping of three promoter firms raises eyebrows

Why Tiger Global tax verdict made every VC squirm

Why high economic growth rate doesn’t translate into high stock returns

Generous payouts come back to bite IT firms in the era of AI

Stock Radar: JSW Energy breaks out from inverse head & shoulder pattern; time to buy?

Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and upside potential of up to 36%

1

2

3

Click here to read article