The global cricket fraternity is in danger ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Just a few weeks before the start of the tournament, he is embroiled in a major controversy. After an important board meeting on 21 January International Cricket Council (ICC) Issued what is being described as a final ultimatum Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): Respect the scheduled events in India or face complete boycott from the tournament.
Since the event is being jointly organized by India and Sri Lanka, a last-minute withdrawal of any player would have serious sporting, logistical and commercial implications. Bangladesh’s possible absence could reshape Group C and change the dynamics of qualification to the knockout stages.
How did the controversy start?
The standoff reportedly began when the BCB formally expressed concern over the safety of its players during their trip to India, citing rising political tensions between the two countries. The matter became more serious when Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Reportedly directed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) To release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur RahmanA move that many saw as adding fuel to an already sensitive situation.
In response, the BCB requested that Bangladesh’s group-stage matches – which were to be played in Kolkata and Mumbai – be moved to Sri Lanka. However, during the ICC Board vote, the proposal was rejected by a margin of 14–2, with the Council stating that existing security arrangements were adequate and changing the venues so late would set an undesirable precedent.
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If Bangladesh boycotts T20 World Cup 2026 then who will replace it?
Should Bangladesh officially withdraw or be removed, the ICC is expected to activate its established late-stage replacement protocol. Under this framework, scotland The cricket team has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Bangladesh in Group C, where England, West Indies, Nepal and Italy are already present.
Scotland are currently the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify directly through the regional qualification process, standing at 12th in the ICC men’s T20I rankings. They are slightly ahead of other contenders like the Netherlands cricket team and the United Arab Emirates cricket team. Historically, the ICC has preferred to select the highest-ranked non-qualified team to maintain the competitive balance of the tournament.
A similar situation had arisen in 2009, when zimbabwe England were ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to political complications. With little time remaining, the ICC turned to Scotland as a replacement, selecting them as the highest performing team from the global qualifying tournament, which had missed direct qualification by a narrow margin. This precedent highlights how the ICC has previously relied on the “next best” available team to maintain the balance and credibility of the competition.
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