New Delhi, Jan 24: The International Cricket Council has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board failed to confirm its participation within a mandatory 24-hour window. The decision follows a period of tension regarding security concerns raised by Dhaka following the departure of bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League.
ICC officials, including chairman Jay Shah, finalized the decision during meetings in Dubai. A formal notification was dispatched to BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul late Friday evening. The move reshapes the tournament’s group stage, with Scotland now set to take over the fixtures previously assigned to the Bangladesh squad.
“An e-mail was sent last evening to BCB chairman intimating him that his board didn’t get back to ICC officially after the 24-hour deadline that was given to them to decide if they wanted to come to India, so a decision has been taken,” an ICC source said on condition of anonymity.
The governance of the sport noted that the BCB’s public handling of the situation contributed to the replacement. The source added that the BCB held a press conference in Dhaka before officially informing the ICC of their stance, which the global body viewed as a breach of protocol.
The refusal to travel was influenced by Bangladesh’s Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, who advised against the trip to India despite various security assurances provided by tournament organizers. While Cricket Scotland mentioned they are awaiting final official confirmation, the schedule for their inclusion is already being organized.
Scotland is scheduled to open their campaign in Kolkata against the West Indies on February 7. This will be followed by matches against Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 at the same venue. Their final group game is set for February 17 against Nepal in Mumbai.
