Bangladesh did not take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. On 24 January 2026, the ICC announced Scotland as its replacement after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to participate under the published schedule.
This is a dated account of the venue dispute and its outcome. The earlier version covered Bangladesh’s request to move its matches but did not include the replacement decision.
What Bangladesh requested
The BCB sought to have its matches moved from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. The ICC’s subsequent statements set out its response to those concerns and the basis for keeping the schedule.
21 January: ICC kept the published schedule
In its 21 January announcement, the ICC said Bangladesh’s fixtures would remain in India. It said its security assessments, including independent reviews, had found no threat to the Bangladesh contingent at the tournament venues.
The ICC also cited the practical difficulty of changing fixtures close to the event and the implications for other teams and supporters. This describes the ICC’s assessment; the BCB had raised a different position on safety.
24 January: Scotland replaced Bangladesh
The ICC’s replacement announcement said Bangladesh had not confirmed participation within the deadline provided. Scotland was selected as the highest-ranked men’s T20I side that had not originally qualified.
Scotland took the place in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies, as confirmed in the ICC’s tournament update.
Decision timeline
| Stage | Outcome |
|---|---|
| BCB venue request | Requested a move from India to Sri Lanka |
| 21 January 2026 | ICC upheld the published schedule |
| 24 January 2026 | ICC announced Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement |
Frequently asked questions
Were Bangladesh’s games moved to Sri Lanka?
No. The requested relocation was not approved; Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the competition.
Does this concern the women’s tournament?
No. This article concerns the senior men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Where can readers check the decision?
The dated ICC announcements linked above provide the governing body’s account of the schedule decision and replacement process.
Related cricket history
Explore the Bangladesh vs India cricket timeline for selected matches and rivalry history.
