NEW DELHI: The absence of Bangladesh from next month’s T20 World Cup is a sad moment for the game and should serve as a call to stakeholders to work towards uniting the sport, not dividing it, the International Cricketers’ Association said on Sunday.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the 20-team showpiece on Saturday after their refusal to tour India over security concerns in the wake of soured political relations between the Asian neighbours.
The ruling International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their 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 consequent absence of an esteemed cricketing nation from cricket’s premier international T20 event is a sad moment for our sport, the Bangladeshi players and fans and Ba,” World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) chief executive Tom Moffat said in a statement.
“Instead of allowing division or exclusion to take hold, we urge the game’s leaders to work with all stakeholders, including governing bodies, leagues and players, to unite the sport, not divide it.”
The events underscore the current tension in South Asian cricket.
India’s strained political relations with Pakistan prompted the ICC to broker an arrangement that allows them to play at a neutral venue when their neighbor hosts a global tournament.
Pakistan are set to play all their matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka, although the country’s board chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that their participation was still not confirmed.
“The prime minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he returns, I will be able to give you our final decision,” Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, told reporters.
Moffat said the WCA had become increasingly concerned about agreements not being honored in the sport and a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives.
“It also highlights significant problems with the game’s existing operating model on a global scale,” he added.
“If these issues continue to go unaddressed, they will undermine trust, unity and ultimately the health and future of the game we love.”
