“Ex-Pakistan Cricketer Slams ICC for Ignoring Bangladesh’s Security Worries”

Mohammad Yousuf Criticizes ICC Over Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Exclusion.

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its decision to remove Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026, questioning the body’s consistency and governance.

Bangladesh were excluded from the tournament, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka, after they refused to travel to India citing security concerns. The ICC reviewed these concerns but concluded there was no credible or verifiable security threat, replacing Bangladesh with Scotland — a move that has sparked widespread debate across the cricketing world.

Yousuf also highlighted the impact of Bangladesh’s absence on global viewership, noting that the country alone draws nearly as many viewers as ten smaller cricketing nations combined. “The combined cricket viewership of New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Nepal, Netherlands, Ireland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is broadly equivalent to the viewership Bangladesh generates on its own. Ten nations combined: 178 million. Bangladesh alone: 176 million,” he wrote on X.

He further questioned the ICC’s governance, emphasizing that cricket should not be run on influence or selective accommodation. “In a sport driven by global audiences, sidelining Bangladesh’s legitimate security concerns raises serious questions about consistency and governance. When accommodation becomes selective, fairness disappears. Cricket cannot be administered by influence — only by principle,” Yousuf added.

Pakistan Considers Boycott

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has voiced support for Bangladesh and is reportedly considering options to protest the ICC’s decision. This includes the possibility of not participating in their group-stage match against India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 15, or even a full withdrawal from the tournament.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that a final decision on Pakistan’s participation will be made by January 30 or February 2.