Scotland enters Group C facing West Indies in Kolkata opener
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed a major shake-up for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. Following a standoff over security arrangements, Bangladesh has been removed from the tournament roster, with Scotland stepping in to fill the vacancy. Sources indicate that the ICC communicated this final decision to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) via a formal letter on Saturday.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when the BCB held a press conference announcing a boycott of the global event. Bangladesh cited significant security concerns that they felt were not adequately addressed by cricket's governing body. In a final attempt to stall the process, the BCB asked for the matter to be referred to the dispute resolution committee. However, the committee clarified it could not function as an appeal forum for this specific ultimatum, allowing the ICC to proceed with its contingency plan.
A high-stakes meeting convened in Dubai on Friday, led by ICC Chairman Jay Shah, sealed the decision. With the deadline for participation passing without a resolution, the governing body moved swiftly to ensure the tournament schedule remained intact.
Scotland’s inclusion is based on their current ICC rankings. Despite finishing behind Italy, the Netherlands, and Jersey in the European qualifiers, their consistent performance in previous tournaments made them the top choice for replacement. This marks a significant opportunity for the Scottish side, who impressed fans during the 2024 edition by challenging heavyweights like Australia and England.
Scotland will now slot directly into Group C, joining England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal. Their campaign kicks off on February 7 against the West Indies in Kolkata. Cricket fans in the region can also look forward to Scotland facing Italy on February 9 and England on February 14, both at the iconic Eden Gardens. They will conclude their group stage matches against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
