Cricket Scotland has firmly rejected reports that the ICC has approached them to replace Bangladesh in next month’s T20 World Cup 2026 if the Tigers refuse to play matches in India.
Officials in Edinburgh say no contact has been made and they will not initiate any discussions “out of respect” for the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
The story exploded across global media on Monday after reports claimed the ICC had given Bangladesh until January 21 — tomorrow — to confirm they will travel to India for group games in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Bangladesh had formally asked the ICC to move all their matches to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security worries for players and staff. The request was rejected.
Where the Replacement Story Came From
Multiple Indian and Bangladeshi media outlets reported that if Bangladesh pulled out, Scotland — currently the highest-ranked team not already qualified — would step in.
One ICC source was quoted saying: “If they refuse to travel to India, they should be ready to be replaced by another team as per rankings.”
The reports gained extra heat because of the sudden removal last week of Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 IPL auction list on BCCI instructions following “certain developments.” Many saw that as the trigger for the current standoff.
Scotland’s Clear and Classy Response
Cricket Scotland told BBC Sport on Monday that no one from the ICC has contacted them about any contingency plan.
A board spokesperson added: “We have too much respect for our counterparts at the Bangladesh Cricket Board to even think about starting those conversations ourselves.”
The dignified stance has been widely praised by fans on social media, with many calling it “proper cricket values.”
Deadline Looms: What Happens Tomorrow?
Tomorrow is the unofficial deadline the ICC reportedly gave BCB presidents and officials during recent talks.
If Bangladesh maintains its refusal to play in India, the ICC has three options:
- Force Bangladesh to forfeit those matches
- Move the games to Sri Lanka (already rejected once)
- Remove Bangladesh entirely and invite the next eligible team
Scotland, ranked 13th in the latest ICC T20I rankings (as of January 2025), would be the automatic choice under current rules because Ireland, Namibia, and Netherlands are already in the tournament via regional qualifiers.
History Says It Can Happen
It would not be the first time a team was replaced at late notice.
In 2009, Zimbabwe withdrew from the T20 World Cup in England for political reasons. Scotland, then the highest-ranked non-qualified side, took their place and played the tournament with just weeks to prepare.
Scotland reached the Super 8 stage that year — their best ever World Cup performance.
Fans Caught in the Middle
Across Bangladesh and in the Scottish diaspora, supporters are torn between national pride and the love of the game.
One Dhaka cricket fan wrote on X: “We don’t want to boycott cricket, we just want our players safe. But missing a World Cup hurts everyone.”
In Glasgow, a Scotland supporter told local radio: “We’d love to be there, but not like this. Let Bangladesh sort it out. Cricket should bring people together, not split them.”
As tomorrow’s deadline approaches, millions of fans wait anxiously to see if politics will once again cast a shadow over the sport they love.
The hope remains that a solution is found and all 20 qualified teams line up when the tournament begins in February.
