In a major geopolitical flare-up in world cricket, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf and other key figures have accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of “double standards” following the removal of Bangladesh from the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
The controversy stems from the ICC’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches out of India, leading to Scotland replacing them in the tournament starting February 7, 2026.
The “Double Standards” Argument
Mohammad Yousuf, alongside former captain Shahid Afridi, has publicly challenged the ICC’s consistency. Their core argument is based on the India-Pakistan precedent:
- The Hybrid Model: In 2025, the ICC accepted India’s security concerns and allowed their Champions Trophy matches (originally to be hosted by Pakistan) to be held in a neutral venue (Dubai).
- The Bangladesh Refusal: When the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited similar security concerns regarding playing in India, the ICC rejected their request for a neutral venue (Sri Lanka), citing a lack of “credible or verifiable threat.”
- Yousuf’s Quote: “Standards cannot change from country to country. ICC must act as the International Cricket Council, not appear to serve the interests of any single board.”
Pakistan’s Boycott Threat
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, has been the only board to officially back Bangladesh’s stance.
- Government Intervention: Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s own participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup is now “up to the government.” He warned that if the Pakistani government decides to boycott, the ICC will have to find a “22nd team” to fill the gap.
- Backlash: Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan slammed Naqvi’s stance as “foolish bravado,” accusing the PCB of using players as “collateral damage” to gain political brownie points.
Timeline of the Bangladesh Ousting (Jan 2026)
| Date | Event |
| Jan 4 | BCB announces it will not travel to India; requests relocation of matches to Sri Lanka. |
| Jan 12 | Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul claims security risks in India are “unacceptable.” |
| Jan 19 | ICC rejects the relocation request, maintaining the original India-Sri Lanka co-hosting schedule. |
| Jan 21 | ICC gives BCB a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm participation. |
| Jan 24 | ICC officially replaces Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C. |
| Jan 25 | Pakistan announces its 15-member squad despite the ongoing boycott threats. |
The “Mustafizur Factor”
A significant underlying cause for the rift was the Mustafizur Rahman controversy. The IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was reportedly instructed by the BCCI to release the pacer in early January 2026, following domestic political pressure in India regarding his nationality. The BCB cited this “unfriendly environment” as a primary factor in their security concerns.