Bangladesh’s absence from next month’s T20 World Cup is a sad moment for the game and should serve as a call to stakeholders to work to unite the sport, not divide it, the International Cricketers’ Association said on Sunday.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the 20-team competition on Saturday after refusing to travel to India over security concerns following tense political relations between the Asian neighbors.
The ruling International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to move its matches to tournament co-host Sri Lanka, saying it was not possible to change the schedule so close to the start of the tournament on February 7.
“Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup, and the resulting absence of a beloved cricket nation from the international T20 cricket event, is a sad moment for our sport, the players and fans of Bangladesh, and one that requires careful consideration,” World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) chief executive Tom Moffat said in a statement.
“Rather than allowing division or exclusion to take hold, we call on Games leaders to work with all stakeholders, including governing bodies, leagues and players, to unite the sport, not divide it.”
The events underline the current tension in South Asian cricket.
Strained relations between India and Pakistan prompted the ICC to negotiate an arrangement allowing them to play at a neutral venue when their neighbor hosts a world tournament.
Following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025, a “hybrid model» was decided that India would play all their matches in Dubai, chosen as a neutral venue.
According to the compromisePakistan are expected to play all their matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, although Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday their participation was still not confirmed.
“The prime minister is not in Pakistan at the moment. When he returns, I can give you our final decision,” Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, told reporters.
Moffat said the WCA was increasingly concerned about broken agreements in sport and the lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives.
“It also highlights significant issues with the existing operating model of gaming globally,” he added.
“These issues, if continued to be left unaddressed, will weaken trust, unity and ultimately the health and future of the game we love.”
Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said he is “deeply disappointed” by the ICC’s “inconsistency” over replacing Bangladesh with Scotland.
“As a former international cricketer who played in Bangladesh and at ICC events, I am deeply disappointed by the current inconsistency of the ICC. It has accepted India’s security concerns for not visiting Pakistan in 2025, but appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh.
“Consistency and fairness are the foundations of global cricket governance. Bangladesh’s players and millions of its fans deserve respect, not mixed standards. The ICC should build bridges, not burn them,” Afridi said in a post on social media platform X.
Former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousaf expressed similar views, saying: “Very sad to see a cricket-loving nation like Bangladesh being deprived of cricket due to security issues which are not being addressed.”
“When similar concerns were raised earlier, a neutral venue was approved. Standards cannot change from country to country. The ICC must act as the International Cricket Council and not appear to serve the interests of a single board. Fairness and consistency are the bedrock of world cricket.”
