Dhaka, Jan 24: A sense of despair and frustration has gripped the Bangladesh dressing room after players were informed of the decision not to travel to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with several cricketers lamenting the manner in which the call was conveyed to them.An investigative report by English daily The Daily Sun quoted an unnamed Bangladesh international as summing up the mood bluntly: “Cricket is finished.” The remark reflected the deep disappointment within the squad as players came to terms with the possibility of missing a global event at the peak of their careers.
Another national player, speaking to the same publication, struck a resigned tone, suggesting that the consequences would be borne by Bangladesh cricket itself. “If we don’t go, it will be our cricket’s loss. Who cares?” the player was quoted as saying.
According to a source familiar with the players’ meeting, the squad was informed of the decision without being consulted. “The message was clear — we are not going to the World Cup. That was the final decision. They didn’t ask us anything. They simply told us it’s not happening,” the source said.
The source added that players were left particularly disheartened by the absence of dialogue, noting that earlier decisions of similar magnitude involved discussions with the team. “Previously, they would sit with us and hear us out. This time, the decision had already been taken before we even met,” the source said.
Several players also felt the call was imposed from outside the cricketing setup. The source claimed the directive came directly from the government, leaving the squad with little say in the matter.
“Whether we play or not, it’s already decided. That’s the real story. It was a direct order — it’s not happening,” the source added.
The developments have left Bangladesh players grappling with the emotional fallout of a decision that could cost them a chance to feature on one of cricket’s biggest stages.