Scotland have been given a late call-up to the T20 World Cup after Bangladesh were removed from the tournament for refusing to play their matches in India over safety concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the replacement on Thursday, with Scotland taking Bangladesh's place in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies.
Bangladesh had repeatedly requested that their group-stage fixtures next month be moved from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka. Three of their matches were scheduled for Kolkata, including one against England, with another in Mumbai. However, the ICC said it was not feasible to switch fixtures so close to the tournament, which begins on 7 February, adding that there was an absence of any credible security threat.
The ICC said it had engaged with the Bangladesh Cricket Board on multiple occasions via video and in-person conferences to offer assurances, but Bangladesh did not confirm participation within a 24-hour deadline after their request was denied. As a result, the governing body invoked its established governance and qualification processes to identify Scotland, who are the highest-ranked T20I side not originally to have qualified.
Scotland, currently 14th in the ICC T20 rankings, will now compete in the tournament for the first time since 2021. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and Cricket Scotland have been approached for comment.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, who are playing all their matches in Sri Lanka due to fraught relations with India, are considering whether to withdraw in solidarity with Bangladesh. Pakistan Cricket Board chair Mohsin Naqvi said the decision rests with the government, adding that the prime minister is currently abroad and a final decision will be made upon his return.
