In an unexpected turn of events Cricket Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. On 23 January 2026 the International Cricket Council released a statement that confirmed Scotland are set to replace Bangladesh in Group C who will no longer participate in the tournament due to venue disagreements with the ICC.

Scotland were handed the spot due to their rank in the ICC Men’s T20I ranking and are all set to play in their fifth consecutive edition of the marquee tournament.

It is learnt that senior ICC officials, including chairman Jay Shah, were in Dubai on Friday and an email was sent late in the evening to BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul, conveying the global body's decision

Bangladesh won’t play T20 World Cup in India, vows to ‘keep fighting’

"An e-mail was sent last evening to Bangladesh Cricket Board chairman intimating him that his board didn't get back to ICC officially after the 24 hour deadline that was given to them to decide if they wanted to come to India, so a decision has been taken," an ICC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"The BCB did a press conference in Dhaka before officially intimating the global body which is a violation of protocol. They have been categorically told that they are being replaced," the source added.

Fixtures:

7 February 2026 - Scotland vs West Indies, Kolkata, 10:30 am CET (3 pm IST) 

9 February 2026 -  Italy vs Scotland, Kolkata, 6:30am CET (11 am IST)

14 February 2026 - England vs Scotland, Kolkata, 10:30 am CET (3 pm IST) 

17 February 2026 - Scotland vs Nepal, Kolkata, 2:30pm CET (7 pm IST)

The Scotland squad is expected to be announced in due course