Scotland enter Cricket World Cup at last minute as nation pulls out on two weeks’ notice

Scotland have been handed a late entry into the T20 World Cup following Bangladesh being replaced by the ICC.

Bangladesh’s government were not happy about sending a team to India.

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In fact, they didn’t grant permission for a team to make the short journey due to security concerns.

The BCB and ICC had been in discussions for three weeks in an attempt to find a resolution to the issue.

The BCB asked for all of their games to be moved to Sri Lanka, but on Friday evening, the ICC informed Bangladesh they had been replaced, and Scotland have taken their place with just two weeks until the tournament gets underway.

But from Bangladesh’s point of view, they are taking the matter to the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), which is an independent body to the ICC that deals with grievances from various bodies.

However, in a board meeting earlier in the week, it was voted by a large majority that Bangladesh should be replaced.

The reason Bangladesh have been replaced is because the ICC feel it would be unreasonable to change the schedule of the tournament so close to it starting.

They also dispute the security concerns, saying: ” There is an absence of any credible security threat for teams in India.

“This could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events and undermine its neutrality as a global governing body.”

The ICC told the BCB they had until Thursday to work out a deal with the government.

The plan was for them to be in Group C, playing three games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

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They were set to take on England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.

But Scotland are set to play those fixtures instead.

The reason behind the security concern is said to centre around the BCCI informing IP side Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman due to collapsing political relations between India and Bangladesh.

But the ICC saw that as an isolated incident and not a good enough reason to not send a team to India.

Scotland’s squad

Scotland take Bangladesh’s place in the tournament due to being the highest-ranked T20 team to not qualify.

This will be their sixth appearance at this ICC event, and they join England, Netherlands and Italy as the fourth European nation.

They will be naming their squad very soon, but here is who is likely to be on the plane.

Potential Scotland squad: Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Brad Currie, Jasper Davidson, Chris Greaves, Oliver Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Mackenzie Jones, Michael Leask, Gavin Main, Christopher McBride, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Liam Naylor, Safyaan Sharif, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt

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Messy situation

Scotland won’t care about how or why they are in the World Cup, but Bangladesh have accused the ICC of double standards.

BCB’s President Aminul Islam mentioned last year’s Champions Trophy.

During that tournament, India played in Dubai rather than in Pakistan due to the political situation between the two countries.

And Islam believes it is exactly the same here.

He said: “The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003 but we pointed out their recent steps in a similar matter.

“When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organised a neutral venue for them.

“The team played all their Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played in one ground, staying in one hotel. It was a privilege.”

“We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts but they are not co-hosts. Sri Lanka is part of the hybrid model where one country is going to play.

“We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant (to let us play in India), we want to take that option.

“Still, they denied our request. We will communicate with the ICC today. We are ready to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka. We don’t want to play in India.”

It remains to be seen what happens, but Scotland are in the T20 World Cup and will take on England.