PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – All-rounder Rayad Emrit has been axed as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force captain and has had his retainer contract cancelled, for pulling out of the four-day side to play in the Bangladesh Premier League.

The T&T Cricket Board’s (TTCB) Chief Executive Officer, Suruj Ragoonath, told theTrinidad Guardian newspaper the selectors had recommended Emrit’s removal and the Board had ratified the move.

Emrit, along with batsman Evin Lewis and all-rounder Kevon Cooper, all participated in the recent BPL and have all had their contracts pulled, the Guardian has reported.

“I do not want to make it as though it is a threat, but players will face the consequences if they walk away from a commitment with the board and with the country,” Ragoonath was quoted as saying.

He added: “To be the captain of a team is an honour and not a right and players must live up to their responsibility.”

Batsman Jason Mohammed is now tipped to lead the 14-man squad to next month’s Super50, which will be played here and in St Kitts and Nevis from January 7-24.

The squad is yet to be announced.

Emrit, a 34-year-old with 79 first-class and 49 List A matches under his belt, successfully led Red Force to the capture of the Super50 staged here last January.

However, the move by the TTCB is baffling especially since it had earlier seemed to endorse the three players’ participation in the BPL.

In an October release, the TTCB said it wished to “congratulate captain Rayad Emrit, opening batsman Evin Lewis and all-rounder Kevon Cooper on their selection in the Bangladesh Premier League.”

“The cricketing landscape is filled with opportunities for players and the selection of these players is further proof of the excellent work of the TTCB,” Ragoonath said at the time.

“Even with West Indies cricket being in turmoil and the team’s performances continuing to flounder, our local players are still able to command attention globally.”

Emrit and Cooper were part of the Barisal Bulls side which reached the BPL final before losing to eventual champions Comilla Victorians.