Bangladesh absence from T20 World Cup a sad moment for the game: players body

The cricketers’ association says stakeholders need to work towards uniting the sport, not dividing it

Photo: Reuters

The absence of Bangladesh from next month's Twenty20 World Cup is a sad moment for the game and should serve as a call for 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 following their refusal to tour India over safety concerns in the wake of soured political relations between the Asian neighbours.

The governing International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh's request to move their matches to tournament co-host Sri Lanka, saying it was not feasible to change the schedule so close to the February 7 start of the tournament.

"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.

"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 ..."

The events underline the current tension in South Asian cricket.

India's fraught political relations with Pakistan prompted the ICC to broker an arrangement allowing them to play at a neutral venue when their neighbour hosts a global tournament.

Pakistan are set to play all their matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, though the country's board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday their participation was still not confirmed.

"The prime minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he returns, I'll 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 by agreements not being honoured in the sport and by a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives.

"It also highlights significant issues with the game's existing operating model at global level," 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."