Another World Cup: Scotland to replace Bangladesh at men’s cricket T20 summit

Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup after the South Asian side refused to travel to co-hosts India, according to reports.

The decision follows weeks of uncertainty, during which the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) repeatedly insisted it would not play its scheduled matches in India, citing safety concerns following soured political relations between the neighbours.

Bangladesh had asked the International Cricket Council to move their games to the tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka instead, but the governing body rejected the demand, dismissing any security threat to the team, the BBC has reported.

Scotland, the highest-ranked non-qualifier, are now set to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, which features England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies. Scotland are 14th in the ICC T20 rankings.

The ICC, BCB and Cricket Scotland have been asked for comment.

Last month, hundreds of people protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a crowd that accused him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with his death.

The incident worsened relations between India and its neighbour, with ties already strained after Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, fled to New Delhi following protests against her. Political tensions have spilled into cricket.

The standoff mirrors previous tensions in South Asian cricket. For the Champions Trophy last year, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) stuck to its policy of not touring Pakistan because of the strained political ties between the bitter neighbours, who play each other only in ICC events.

Like for the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, a hybrid model was agreed on under which India were allowed to play their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai to salvage the tournament.

Under the agreement running until 2027, Pakistan will play in a neutral venue for any ICC event, including the T20 World Cup where they are scheduled to play their matches in Sri Lanka. The 20-team World Cup is set to begin on 7 February 7.