NEW DELHI: 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 towards unifying the sport, not dividing 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 Ba,” World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) chief executive Tom Moffat said in a statement.
“Rather than allowing division or exclusion, we call on sports 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 political 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.
Pakistan are expected to play all their matches in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, although the country’s board of directors (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that their participation was still unconfirmed.
“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.
“If these issues continue to be left unaddressed, they will weaken trust, unity and ultimately the health and future of the game we love.”
