International Cricket Council (ICC) condemned for applying ‘double standards’ and damaging cricket’s reputation get fired Bangladesh team refused to travel to India for the Men’s T20 World Cup due to safety concerns.
Bangladesh were kicked out of the upcoming tournament by the International Cricket Council on Saturday amid a week-long impasse between cricket’s governing body and the South Asian nation over a change of venue for the World Cup.
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The move, which saw Scotland replace Bangladesh in the tournament, was criticized by former cricketers, pundits and the Cricketers’ Association, calling it a “sad moment for the game”.
World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) chief executive Tom Moffat said in a statement: “Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup, and the absence of an important cricketing nation from cricket’s premier international T20 event, is a sad moment for our sport, Bangladeshi players and fans, and requires deep reflection.”
“We call on the leaders of the sport to work with all stakeholders, including governing bodies, federations and athletes, and not allow division or exclusion to dominate, to unite the sport rather than divide it.”
Moffat said the WCA was increasingly concerned about non-compliance with protocols in the sport and the lack of meaningful consultation with athletes and their representatives.
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“It also highlights significant issues with the game’s current operating model [the] Global level,” he added.
“These issues, if they continue to go unaddressed, will erode trust, unity and ultimately the health and future of the sport we love.”
“The International Criminal Court should build bridges, not burn them”
The ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to move the match to host Sri Lanka, saying it was not feasible to change the schedule so close to the World Cup’s start on February 7, while Bangladesh maintained its stance not to play in India citing concerns over the safety and security of its players.
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However, former players have questioned the impartiality of the ICC as it had recently moved India’s match from Pakistan to a neutral venue for the same reason.
In line with the government’s decision, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in March. That prompted the ICC to broker a deal between the two countries that would allow them to play matches at neutral venues when neighboring countries host global tournaments.
All matches of the India Champions Trophy, including the final, are played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Outspoken former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has questioned the ICC’s decision and said it left him “deeply disappointed”.
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“Bangladesh’s players and millions of fans deserve respect, not mixed standards,” he wrote on X.
“The ICC should build bridges, not burn them.”
Although India and Bangladesh do not share the same adversarial relationship, relations between the two countries have been affected by recent political tensions.
Another former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yusuf said cricket fans in Bangladesh were “deprived of the opportunity to play cricket”.
“It is very sad to see a cricket-loving country like Bangladesh being deprived of cricket because security issues have not been addressed,” he said.
Yusuf, who also serves as Pakistan’s batting coach, urged the ICC to show fairness in practice.
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“When similar concerns were raised earlier, a neutral site was approved,” he said.
“Standards cannot vary from country to country. The ICC must act as the International Cricket Council and not serve the interests of any single committee. Fairness and consistency are the foundation of global cricket.”
Pakistan condemns ‘injustice’
While Pakistan will play all their T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi said their qualification is yet to be confirmed.
“The prime minister is not in Pakistan right now. When he comes back, I will be able to provide you with our final decision,” Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, said when asked to comment on the ICC decision.
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“Our position [on World Cup participation] “This will be what the government of Pakistan instructs me to do,” he said. “This is [Pakistan] Government decision. We obey them, not the ICC. “
Naqvi said the ICC was unfair to Bangladesh.
“You can’t have double standards. You can’t say that against a country [India] They can do whatever they want, while others have to do exactly the opposite,” he said. “That’s why we have taken this stand and made it clear that Bangladesh is treating them unfairly. They should be playing in the World Cup; they are the main stakeholders in cricket. “
Naqvi says if government stops Pakistan from participating in World Cup, ‘then ICC may bring in 22nd team’ [after Scotland]. It depends on the government.”