The international cricketers’ association said on Sunday that Bangladesh’s exclusion from the Twenty20 World Cup next month is a sad time for the sport and should serve as a call for stakeholders to strive towards uniting rather than dividing the sport.
Scotland took Bangladesh’s position in the 20-team match on Saturday after Bangladesh declined to tour India due to safety concerns and the Asian neighbors’ diplomatic ties worsened.
Bangladesh’s plea to shift their matches to tournament co-host Sri Lanka was denied by the governing International Cricket Council (ICC), which stated that it was not practical to alter the schedule so close to the tournament’s February 7 start date.
“The withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and resulting absence of a valued cricketing nation from cricket’s pinnacle international T20 event, is a sad moment for our sport, the Bangladesh players and fans, and one that requires deep reflection,” World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) Chief Executive Tom Moffat said in a statement.
Following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL, the BCB declined to allow its squad to visit India due to security concerns. However, the ICC insisted that it was inappropriate to change the published event schedule because there was no confirmed security danger to the Bangladesh national team, officials, or supporters in India.
“Cricket is at its strongest when every team and every player is treated with respect, supported appropriately and consistently, and able to participate on fair terms. The game is at its best when all participants are genuine contributors to its success.”
Professional cricket players from many nations are members of the World Cricket Association (WCA). However, Indian cricketers do not belong to the WCA.
“In recent times, the WCA has become increasingly concerned by broader trends in the sport, including agreements not being honoured, rights being eroded, and a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives, all of this amounts to a careless approach to people that should not belong in cricket,” Moffat said.
“It also highlights significant issues with the game’s existing operating model at global level. These issues, if continued to be left unaddressed, will weaken trust, unity, and ultimately the health and future of the game we love.”
Bangladesh’s petition to move matches was defeated 14-2 at the ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, with only Pakistan endorsing it.
According to the CEO of the WCA, the development “provides an opportunity for reflection across cricket.”
“Rather than allowing division or exclusion to take hold, we call on the game’s leaders to work with all stakeholders, including Governing Bodies, leagues and players, to unite the sport, not divide it, and in the shared interest of the game’s long-term health and success.
“On behalf of players and their associations around the world, we continue to offer our support to the Bangladesh players, who miss out on an opportunity to compete on the world stage, and to their association (CWAB). We reiterate our commitment to work constructively with the BCB and all other stakeholders to strengthen and grow our game globally.”
