Bangladesh Exits T20 World Cup; Harbhajan Slams Pakistan as Scotland Steps In
Bangladesh Exits T20 World Cup; Harbhajan Slams Pakistan as Scotland Steps In
Bangladesh is out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after government clearance for travel to India was blocked; Scotland will replace them as Harbhajan Singh criticizes Pakistan's intervention.
Bangladesh has been removed from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladeshi government refused clearance for the team to travel to India for the tournament, the ICC confirmed. The decision comes as Scotland will take Bangladesh's place in the global event, a move officials described as a difficult one given security considerations surrounding the schedule.
Bangladesh Cricket Board had sought to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka to ease travel and security concerns, but authorities did not grant permission, and the ICC stood by the original fixtures. The replacement of Bangladesh with Scotland was finalized after discussions among ICC officials and tournament organizers, underscoring the challenges of balancing security with competition in the lead-up to the event.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh weighed in on the controversy, criticizing Pakistan's public backing of Bangladesh. He described Pakistan's stance as an unnecessary attempt to frame the issue as a 2 vs 1 battle, arguing that Bangladesh and its players are paying the price for the dispute. He urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to respect the process and questioned the timing of their intervention, noting that Pakistan already had matches scheduled in Sri Lanka.
Harbhajan also urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board to keep communication channels open with the ICC before making ultimatums, and he criticized the BCB for what he called ego-driven decisions that hindered resolution. In parallel, the World Cricketers’ Association expressed disappointment over Bangladesh’s withdrawal, calling the move a sad moment and urging deep reflection on governance and player welfare.
As Scotland steps into the spotlight, the event continues with a focus on competitive cricket amid ongoing governance discussions. The ripple effects touch players, fans, and cricket boards alike, reminding the sport of the delicate balance between security, diplomacy, and the showpiece nature of global tournaments.
