London, Jan 25 (NationPress) The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has voiced profound concern regarding Bangladesh's exit from the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) denied the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) appeal to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka.

On Saturday, the ICC confirmed that Scotland will take Bangladesh's place in the upcoming tournament after the BCB opted out due to the fixed match schedule.

In a statement from WCA chief executive Tom Moffat, the organization characterized this development as 'a sad moment' for international cricket, underscoring the absence of Bangladesh as a notable loss to the tournament, its players, and the fans.

“The withdrawal of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, and the resulting absence of a valued cricketing nation from cricket’s pinnacle international T20 event, is a sad moment for our sport,” stated Moffat in a release.

The WCA emphasized that cricket flourishes only when players and teams receive fair treatment and consistent support.

“Cricket is at its strongest when every team and every player is treated with respect, supported appropriately and consistently, and allowed to participate on fair terms,” the statement highlighted.

Addressing wider issues, the WCA pointed out what it deemed as alarming trends in world cricket, such as unfulfilled agreements, diminishing rights, and insufficient consultation with players and their representatives.

“If these issues are left unaddressed, they will undermine trust, unity, and ultimately the health and future of the game we cherish,” the statement cautioned.

The players’ body urged cricket’s leadership to view this situation as an opportunity for collective reflection rather than division. It called on governing bodies, leagues, and player groups to collaborate to ensure the sport remains inclusive and united, with long-term sustainability as a common goal.

Extending its support to those impacted, the WCA affirmed its solidarity with the Bangladesh players, who will miss the chance to showcase their skills on the world stage, as well as with their association, the Cricket Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).

“On behalf of players and their associations globally, we continue to extend our support to the Bangladesh players,” the statement reiterated, emphasizing the WCA’s commitment to engage constructively with the BCB and other stakeholders to enhance and advance the game worldwide.