ICC drops Bangladesh to bring in Scotland, as Pakistan’s T2O World Cup visit ‘hinges on govt’

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Board (ICC) has formally expelled the Bangladesh Cricket Board, after announcing the Scotland cricket team as a replacement in the India-Sri Lanka jointly-hosted 2026 T20 World Cup. Similarly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that Pakistan’s participation in the global cricketing event depended on the government.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board had written another letter to the ICC, mentioning security concerns as the main reason for their refusal to play on India’s ground in the T20 World Cup. They had also called for their matches to be relocated instead.

The BCB had also asked them to refer their matter [security concerns] to an Independent Dispute Resolution Committee of the ICC, as they were expecting a decision that the global cricket body had made regarding India’s playing in the UAE, when Pakistan was hosting the 2025 Champions Trophy.

However, the ICC remained firm on its decision when the BCB again contacted the ICC, requesting not to relocate their scheduled matches, instead.

Earlier in the evening, the PCB chairman said that the way the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been treated was unfair by the ICC. He called it a clear example of “double standards” by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Breaking News

Regarding participation in the T20 World Cup, we will follow whatever decision the Government of Pakistan makes. If we are told not to go, then we will not go. Bangladesh has been treated unfairly; this is a double standard by the ICC: Mohsin Naqvi pic.twitter.com/uc1vr09ozH

— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) January 24, 2026

He said, “I raised this issue [the BCB’s security concerns and the ICC’s decision] in the ICC meeting as well, and clearly said that the same criteria should apply to all teams,” adding that no country has the right to dictate terms to another.

The PCB Chairman said that Pakistan’s tour of India is totally dependent on the Government of Pakistan; however, “there are with them plan A, plan B and plan C and would be followed accordingly”.

In another interview, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Naqvi has also hinted that Pakistan’s matches should be held at neutral venues. He recalled that India had opted to play all its matches of the Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy in the UAE, prompting Pakistan to propose Sri Lanka as a neutral venue for its games.

Meanwhile, the Scotland cricket team has now been put into Group C of the ICC T20 World Cup tournament, joining England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal in the preliminary stage.