Bangladesh Out of T20 World Cup: WCA Urges Reflection on ICC Decision

The World Cricket Association (WCA) on Sunday voiced its concern over Bangladesh's withdrawal from the upcoming T20 World Cup, calling it a "sad moment" for the sport that warrants "serious reflection.

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The ICC confirmed on Saturday that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the tournament, which begins on February 7, after stating it was not feasible to accommodate the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to relocate their fixtures to Sri Lanka at such a late stage.

"The withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and the resulting absence of a valued cricketing nation from the sport's premier international T20 event, is a sad moment for cricket, for the Bangladesh players and fans, and one that demands deep reflection," WCA CEO Tom Moffat said in a statement.

The BCB had declined to send its team to India citing security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman's exit from the IPL. The ICC, however, maintained that there was no verified security threat to the Bangladesh team, officials or supporters, and said altering the tournament schedule was not appropriate.

"Cricket is strongest when every team and player is treated with respect, supported consistently, and allowed to compete on fair terms," Moffat said. "The game thrives when all participants are genuine contributors to its success. "

The WCA, which represents professional cricketers globally but does not include Indian players among its members, also raised broader concerns about governance in the sport.

"In recent times, the WCA has grown increasingly concerned about wider trends, including agreements not being honoured, erosion of rights, and a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives," Moffat said. "This reflects a careless approach to people that has no place in cricket and highlights deeper flaws in the game's global operating model. "

At an ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, Bangladesh's proposal to shift matches was rejected by a 14-2 vote, with only Pakistan backing the move.

Moffat said the episode should serve as a moment of introspection for cricket's leadership. "Rather than allowing division or exclusion, we urge the game's leaders to work with all stakeholders to unite the sport in the shared interest of its long-term health. "

He added that the WCA stands with the Bangladesh players and their association, reiterating its commitment to work constructively with the BCB and other bodies to strengthen the game globally.