Pakistan, Jan. 26 -- The unthinkable has happened. Bangladesh, a full-member cricket nation with a passionate fan base, has been ousted from the upcoming T20 World Cup after refusing to play matches in India due to security fears. It goes without saying that the gentleman's game is hurtling into an identity crisis that cuts to the core of fairness and principle in international cricket.

The absence of Bangladesh from next month's World Cup is a "sad moment for our sport," according to the World Cricketers' Association. Bangladesh officials and commentators have argued the ICC has not applied the same flexibility it has shown in past venue disputes, including the neutral-venue arrangement used for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

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