ICC informs BCB
POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK JANUARY 24,2026
New Delhi, January 24:The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The decision was taken after Bangladesh declined to tour India, citing security concerns.
According to sources, the ICC acted after the BCB failed to provide an official written response within the stipulated 24-hour deadline regarding its participation in the tournament. ICC informs BCB
As a result, the global cricket body moved swiftly to ensure the tournament schedule remains unaffected.
ICC Decision Communicated via Official Email
Senior ICC officials, including ICC Chairman Jay Shah, were present in Dubai on Friday when the matter was finalised. Later in the evening, the ICC formally communicated its decision to BCB Chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul through an official email.
An ICC source, speaking to PTI on condition of anonymity, said the Bangladesh board did not officially confirm whether it would travel to India despite repeated reminders. Consequently, the ICC had no option but to replace Bangladesh with Scotland.
Protocol Breach by BCB Cited
Sources further revealed that instead of responding directly to the ICC, the BCB chose to address the issue through a press conference in Dhaka. This move was viewed as a breach of established ICC communication protocols.
The ICC reportedly conveyed to the BCB that official correspondence, not public statements, is required in matters of tournament participation.ICC informs BCB
Security Concerns Behind Bangladesh’s Decision
The situation escalated after Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul advised against travelling to India. He cited security concerns despite multiple assurances from the ICC regarding player safety and logistical arrangements.
The concerns reportedly gained momentum following pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s withdrawal from the Indian Premier League (IPL), which intensified apprehensions within the Bangladesh camp.
Scotland Awaiting Formal Confirmation
ICC informs BCB:Meanwhile, Cricket Scotland stated that it has not yet received formal written confirmation from the ICC. However, officials expect the confirmation shortly.
As per the revised schedule, Scotland is expected to play four group-stage matches. These include fixtures against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata. Scotland will also face Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet issued an official public statement on the matter.
Major Development in International Cricket
ICC informs BCB: The decision is being seen as a significant development in international cricket. It may have implications for group dynamics and tournament preparations. However, the ICC has not yet issued an official public statement.
Bangladesh is expected to raise objections to the decision. For Scotland, however, the development presents a rare and valuable opportunity to compete on the world stage at short notice.
The decision may also impact the tournament format and fixtures, which are detailed in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 schedule.
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