“Strict action must be taken” - Mohammad Azharuddin backs ICC for replacing Bangladesh with Scotland for T20 WC 2026

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has backed the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, starting on Saturday, February 7, in India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Azharuddin asserted that the ICC should take strict action against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for pulling out of the tournament at the last moment, citing security concerns in India despite the ICC noting that there were no concerns in the country. 

"The ICC has made the right decision on replacing Bangladesh with Scotland. I feel that strict action must be taken. Because until you are strict, until you take action, I don't think the work will be equal," Azharuddin told ANI.

Notably, the BCB requested the ICC to relocate their T20 World Cup matches outside India to Sri Lanka, who are co-hosting the campaign. This request from the BCB came after the BCCI had instructed the KKR franchise to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, amid violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

However, the ICC rejected the BCB’s request, stating that there were no security concerns in India, which didn’t go down well with the BCB. Ultimately, the BCB President, Aminul Islam Bulbul, confirmed that the BCB stands firm in its decision not to play the forthcoming showpiece event in India.

On Saturday, January 24, the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the BCB decided to pull out of the campaign. For the unversed, Scotland is the highest-ranked T20I side not to originally qualify for the tournament.

Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.

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