The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. According to a Cricbuzz report, the decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Despite repeated pressure and an ultimatum from the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintained its stance and did not respond within the deadline, prompting the ICC to include Scotland instead.

Bangladesh had earlier requested that all its matches be held in co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not approve the proposal. England and West Indies, who were in the same group, also declined to travel to Sri Lanka, and a proposed group swap with Ireland failed after Ireland rejected the ICC’s offer. Reports suggest the Indian cricket board influenced Ireland’s decision with financial incentives and bilateral series promises. Pakistan’s cricket board supported Bangladesh’s position and urged the ICC to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or Pakistan, but the appeal was ignored.

Scotland will now join Group C and play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal.