ICC faces fresh storm ahead of T20 World Cup as Bangladesh row lingers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been dragged into yet another controversy ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, even as the fallout from Bangladesh’s exclusion continues to simmer.

Bangladesh were dropped from the tournament after deciding not to tour India, citing security concerns. The ICC replaced the Tigers with Scotland, a move that sparked widespread criticism and allegations of double standards within global cricket governance.

Now, with the Bangladesh issue unresolved, the ICC finds itself locked in a new dispute with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over player rights, escalating tensions further.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the WCA has accused the ICC of imposing new ‘squad participation conditions’ that violate a 2024 agreement between the two bodies. The dispute centres on the use of players’ names, images and likenesses (NIL), which the WCA claims are being exploited under revised terms.

The players’ body has formally raised its objections in writing, arguing that the latest conditions are more restrictive and exploitative than the previous agreement. However, the ICC has rejected the allegations, insisting that the 2024 deal applies only to eight member boards and does not automatically cover all teams at the World Cup.

The WCA has countered that interpretation, maintaining that the agreement clearly extends protection to all players associated with the organisation, regardless of the teams they represent.

WCA chief executive Tom Moffat said the new conditions marked a significant rollback of player protections. He pointed to concerns over media obligations, behind-the-scenes content, access to dressing rooms, biological data, licensing rights, player contracts and dispute resolution mechanisms.

“Under the 2024 agreement, players had the right to decide and negotiate these matters. That power is now being shifted to boards,” Moffat said.

He warned that the revised conditions disproportionately affect lower-paid and more vulnerable players, for whom ICC tournaments are often the primary source of income and career progression.

“We support the growth of ICC events, but that growth must be in partnership with players, not at their expense,” Moffat added. “Many players have already signed squad conditions under the 2024 agreement. We expect the ICC to honour that commitment at the T20 World Cup.”

With mounting criticism over governance, player welfare and tournament integrity, the ICC now faces growing pressure to resolve multiple flashpoints before the World Cup begins – lest controversy overshadow the cricket itself.