In a turn of events impacting the upcoming T20 World Cup, Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the decision after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) failed to comply with the ICC's demands, which were deemed inconsistent with ICC policy. The ICC had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the BCB, warning of consequences if its demands were not withdrawn.
According to sources, the ICC informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of their replacement via a letter on Saturday, January 24. Bangladesh's decision to pull out of the ICC event was due to security concerns, stating that their concerns weren't adequately addressed by the cricket governing body. The situation arose in early January 2026 when the BCB requested the ICC to move its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing player safety after KKR's release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
Scotland's inclusion in the T20 World Cup is based on their consistent performance in recent ICC events and their current No. 14 world ranking. Scotland will now compete in Group C of the preliminary stage, alongside Italy, Nepal, West Indies and England. Scotland's first match will be against West Indies on February 7, followed by games against Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, all in Kolkata. Their final group stage match is against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
In other news, Air India has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from New York and Newark on January 25 and 26. The airline cited forecasts of a severe winter storm with heavy snowfall expected to impact the US East Coast. The airline stated that the decision was made to ensure the safety and convenience of passengers and crew. Air India added that its teams would provide full assistance to passengers booked to travel on these dates. Passengers are advised to contact Air India's 24x7 call center for further information.
The winter storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, ice, bitter cold, and widespread power outages across the United States. Forecasters have warned of potentially catastrophic damage, especially in areas coated in ice, potentially rivaling the impact of a hurricane. The storm is expected to move into the Northeast, dumping up to a foot of snow from Washington through New York and Boston.
