Dubai |23 January 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is now preparing to move forward without Bangladesh in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) failed to respond within the 24-hour deadline. The ICC had asked Bangladesh to confirm whether their team would travel to India for the tournament, but no formal communication reached the ICC headquarters in Dubai before the deadline ended.

According to reports, the ICC has made it clear that the decision is straightforward. A confirmation from Bangladesh would settle the issue immediately. But a refusal—or silence that acts like a refusal—would trigger a replacement plan. In that scenario, Scotland is set to receive the invitation and take Bangladesh’s place in the tournament. The ICC is now expected to act quickly and finalize Scotland’s participation.

The situation has been tense, and the ICC board has already voted on the matter, making it difficult for any last-minute changes. BCB president Aminul Islam had expressed hope for a “last-minute miracle,” but the delay has pushed the matter beyond the point where optimism alone could help. Bangladesh has repeatedly stated that they will not travel to India, citing security concerns for their players.

The strongest public statement came from Bangladesh government sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who said the decision was made by the government. He added that ICC assurances were not enough because “the board does not have its own country.” This standoff now moves into a phase of process and logistics, with Scotland preparing for a sudden entry into the World Cup, while Bangladesh faces the consequences of missing a major global event.

 ICC Moves Ahead as Bangladesh Misses Deadline; Scotland Set to Replace in T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is now preparing to move forward without Bangladesh in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) failed to respond within the 24-hour deadline. The ICC had asked Bangladesh to confirm whether their team would travel to India for the tournament, but no formal communication reached the ICC headquarters in Dubai before the deadline ended.

According to reports, the ICC has made it clear that the decision is straightforward. A confirmation from Bangladesh would settle the issue immediately. But a refusal or silence that acts like a refusal would trigger a replacement plan. In that scenario, Scotland is set to receive the invitation and take Bangladesh’s place in the tournament. The ICC is now expected to act quickly and finalize Scotland’s participation.

The situation has been tense, and the ICC board has already voted on the matter, making it difficult for any last-minute changes. BCB president Aminul Islam had expressed hope for a “last-minute miracle,” but the delay has pushed the matter beyond the point where optimism alone could help. Bangladesh has repeatedly stated that they will not travel to India, citing security concerns for their players.

The strongest public statement came from Bangladesh government sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who said the decision was made by the government. He added that ICC assurances were not enough because “the board does not have its own country.” This standoff now moves into a phase of process and logistics, with Scotland preparing for a sudden entry into the World Cup, while Bangladesh faces the consequences of missing a major global event.