ICC Removes Bangladesh After India Travel Refusal
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has removed Bangladesh from the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the team refused to travel to India over security concerns. The ICC took the final decision on Saturday after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ignored multiple deadlines. Officials confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C. This marks the first time the ICC has expelled a team from a global tournament due to non-compliance. The governing body informed the BCB of the decision through a formal letter.
BCB Holds Firm Despite Deadlines and Talks
The ICC gave the BCB 24 hours on Wednesday to confirm participation. BCB president Aminul Islam and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul publicly ruled out travel to India. Bangladesh made one last attempt on Friday to resolve the dispute, but talks failed. ICC officials then informed Scotland about their inclusion. Sources said the ICC completed all procedural formalities before making the announcement. An ICC delegation also travelled to Dhaka to explain the consequences of withdrawal.
Security Review Clears India, ICC Rejects Reschedule Plea
The ICC initially tried to address Bangladesh’s concerns. It ordered an independent security assessment, which rated the threat level in India as low to moderate. Based on the findings, the ICC refused to change the match venues. The BCB repeatedly requested that matches shift to Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the proposal. Officials warned Bangladesh that refusal would trigger replacement by the next-highest-ranked team in Group C. The BCB still refused to alter its stance.
Group C Line-Up and Origin of Dispute
The original schedule placed Bangladesh in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. The team was set to play three matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The dispute escalated after the IPL exit of Mustafizur Rahman and unrest in Bangladesh. The BCB linked those events to security fears in India. With Bangladesh out, Scotland now joins Group C, while the ICC reinforces its position on tournament discipline.
