T20 World Cup: ICC poised to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after silence on India travel

The ICC is moving closer to activating its contingency plan for the Men’sT20 World Cup 2026, with Scotland set to be approached after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) failed to respond to a 24-hour deadline on travel to India.

The governing body had asked Bangladesh for a clear yes-or-no confirmation on participation within a day. That deadline has now passed without any official communication reaching ICC headquarters in Dubai, despite indications that discussions were ongoing in Dhaka with government officials and player groups.

From the ICC’s perspective, the situation has narrowed to a simple outcome. A formal assurance from Bangladesh would have closed the issue. In the absence of one, the process to invite a replacement is expected to begin, with Scotland next in line. Officials are understood to be ready to move quickly, having already completed most of the required internal approvals.

What makes the shift feel decisive is that the ICC board has already voted on the matter, leaving little scope for late reversals. While BCB president Aminul Islam spoke publicly about hoping for a last-minute breakthrough, the lack of communication has pushed the issue beyond optimism and into execution.

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Bangladesh’s stance has remained consistent. The team will not travel to India, citing security concerns. That position was most clearly articulated by Bangladesh government sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who said the call was taken at the government level. He added that ICC assurances were insufficient, noting that the body does not control a host country and pointing to a previous incident where, according to Bangladesh, expected security protections fell short.

Attention has now shifted away from negotiations and towards logistics. The ICC is focused on timelines, formal notifications, and tournament planning. For Scotland, a late invitation would mean a sudden leap from routine scheduling into World Cup preparation. For Bangladesh, missing a global event carries consequences that extend well beyond a single tournament—because at this level, absences are remembered long after disputes fade.