The Cricketers Forum, a body of past and present Bangladesh players, added the limited overs tournament featuring the nine-Test playing nations did little to develop the game in their country.

The ICC, on the other hand, was expected to make $15 million from the sale of television rights and sponsorships, Kasem, a former National cricketer and a respected columnist, said.

Kasem said holding such tournaments will not help Bangladesh's bid to gain Test status in the near future.

``We have qualified for the World Cup, but to become a Test nation, we need to revamp our domestic structure and play three and five-day matches,'' he said.

``We are running the risk of becoming only an international venue, like Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, where the renowned teams play and we watch.

``It is sad that our players are reduced to the level of the paying public in their own country,'' hesaid.

Bangladesh were excluded from the event despite having official one-day status. They qualified for next year's World Cup in England after winning the ICC Trophy for associate members.

Bangladesh cricket chief Saber Hossain Chowdhury said the country needed to hold major sporting events.

``We need the tournament to uplift the profile of the country and project a positive image,'' he said. ``It shows we are capable of hosting such a event.

``Benefits are not confined to this tournament alone, but well beyond. There has been infrastructural development and a boost to the game in this cricket-mad country.''