Bangladesh Reject ICC Ultimatum On India Travel, Scotland May Replace Them At T20 World Cup 2026

Bangladesh's firm decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 has placed the International Cricket Council under pressure to activate its contingency plans.

Following a meeting with the government's sports adviser in Dhaka on January 22, the Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed it will approach the ICC again, even as discussions intensify over a possible replacement team, with Scotland emerging as the frontrunner.

BCB to Push Sri Lanka Option With ICC

BCB president Aminul Islam said the board will return to the ICC with its proposal to play Group C matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model, rejecting what he described as an unreasonable deadline from the global body.

"We will go back to the ICC with our plan to play in Sri Lanka. They did give us a 24-hour ultimatum, but a global body can't really do that. ICC will miss out on 200 million people watching the World Cup. It will be their loss ... ICC is calling Sri Lanka co-hosts. They are not co-hosts. It is a hybrid model. Some of the things I heard in the ICC meeting were shocking," Aminul Islam said.

Government Makes Stand Clear on India Travel

The Bangladeshi government has backed the board's position, making it clear that the decision is political and administrative rather than sporting. Sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that the team has been instructed not to travel to India for the tournament.

"We are hopeful that ICC will give us the opportunity to play in Sri Lanka. It is our government who has decided not to go to India," Asif Nazrul said.

Nazrul added that Bangladesh still wants to take part in the World Cup, but only if an alternative venue is approved.

What Happens If Bangladesh Do Not Participate

If Bangladesh maintain their refusal and the ICC does not accept the Sri Lanka plan, the situation could be treated as a withdrawal under ICC event regulations. This may lead to forfeiture of matches, potential financial penalties and loss of prize money. From a tournament perspective, the ICC would then be required to fill the vacant Group C slot to protect the integrity of the competition and the broadcast schedule.

Bangladesh's absence would also have a significant commercial impact, given the country's massive television audience and digital following.

Scotland Likely to Replace Bangladesh in Group C

If a replacement becomes necessary, Scotland are widely expected to step in. The European side are next in line based on the T20 World Cup qualification pathway and ICC rankings among teams that narrowly missed direct qualification. As per standard ICC practice, the replacement team would take over Bangladesh's position in Group C without altering the match dates or venues.

Scotland would then play West Indies, Italy and England at Eden Gardens on February 7, 9 and 14, followed by a final group match against Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium on February 17.

With Bangladesh standing firm and Scotland waiting in the wings, the ICC now faces a decisive call that could reshape Group C and influence how future World Cups handle similar standoffs.