Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially withdrew from the tournament.
The decision comes just two weeks before the February 7 start date, following the BCB’s refusal to play their scheduled matches in India.
Scotland secures the vacant spot as the highest-ranked team that had not yet qualified.
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The Bangladesh team stands for the national anthems ahead of their 2024 T20 World Cup super eight clash against Afghanistan. Darrian Traynor/ICC via Getty Images
The move has left cricket legends and experts baffled.
Former Australian international cricketer Jason Gillespie accused the ICC of a double standard regarding how it handles security concerns from different nations.
“Has there been an explanation from the ICC [as to] why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?,” he wrote on X.
“From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan.
“Can someone make this make sense?!?!.”
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi agreed, criticising the ICC for failing to provide a level playing field for all member nations.
“As a former international cricketer who has played in Bangladesh and in ICC events, I’m deeply disappointed by today’s ICC’s inconsistency,” he wrote on X.
“It accepted India’s security concerns for not touring Pakistan in 2025, yet appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh.
“Consistency and fairness are the foundation of global cricket governance. Bangladesh’s players and millions of its fans deserve respect – not mixed standards.
“The ICC should build bridges, not burn them.”
The BCB had sought to relocate its fixtures from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka, expressing security concerns.
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, stating that independent security assessments found no credible or verifiable security threat to the team, officials or supporters in India.
“The ICC’s assessments concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, officials or supporters in India,” the ICC said in a statement on Sunday (AEDT).
“In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule.
The governing body emphasised the importance of “preserving the integrity and sanctity of the tournament schedule” and avoiding precedents that could undermine the fairness of global events.
Following a meeting on Wednesday, the ICC gave the BCB a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm their participation as scheduled.
Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto during a group stage match at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. AP
The withdrawal was finalised after the BCB failed to meet this deadline, with the ICC moving forward with a replacement.
Scotland will take Bangladesh’s spot in Group C alongside England, the West Indies, Nepal and Italy.
Currently ranked 14th in the world, Scotland sits ahead of seven nations already competing, including Namibia, the USA and Italy.
The Scottish squad is now preparing for an opening-day fixture against the West Indies in Kolkata.