Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 appeared to be over after the International Cricket Council (ICC) replaced them with Scotland. This decision followed the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) reluctance to send its team to India, citing security concerns. However, a potential door has opened for Bangladesh to still feature in the tournament under a specific scenario.

The ICC initially made the call to replace Bangladesh after the BCB failed to confirm their team's participation in India within a given deadline. This stemmed from unease regarding the safety of the team, particularly in light of strained political relations between Bangladesh and India. The BCB had requested that their matches be moved to Sri Lanka, the tournament's co-hosts, but the ICC rejected this request, stating that there was no security threat to the team.

Scotland, as the next-highest ranked T20 international team that had missed the initial qualification, was named as Bangladesh's replacement and placed in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Italy, and the West Indies.

Despite this, Bangladesh could be reinstated into the tournament if Pakistan decides to boycott the event. Uncertainty surrounds Pakistan's participation, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deferring a final decision until February 2. Should Pakistan withdraw, the ICC is reportedly prepared to bring Bangladesh back into the fold to avoid logistical and scheduling complications.

Under this contingency plan, Bangladesh would be accommodated in Group A, which includes India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Importantly, Bangladesh would be allowed to play their matches in Sri Lanka, aligning with the BCB's initial request. This arrangement would present minimal logistical challenges for the ICC.

Furthermore, re-including Bangladesh based on Pakistan's potential boycott would allow the ICC to avoid the appearance of conceding to Bangladesh's security concerns about playing in India. Instead, it would be framed as a consequence of Pakistan's actions.

The situation remains fluid, with the final decision hinging on Pakistan's stance. The ICC's preparations indicate a proactive approach to managing unforeseen circumstances and ensuring the smooth execution of the T20 World Cup 2026.

The potential return of Bangladesh would undoubtedly alter the dynamics of Group A, adding another competitive team to the mix. However, until Pakistan makes its final decision, Bangladesh's participation remains uncertain. The ICC has also clarified that they are reworking the media accreditation process for Bangladeshi journalists, following the withdrawal of their national team from the tournament.