Nasser Hussain has called for consistency from the ICC in its handling of Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup, raising questions about how the governing body applies its rules across different teams.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after refusing to play their scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns. The decision came amid wider tensions involving Pakistan and the tournament schedule.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, the former England captain questioned how the situation would have been handled if a major nation had taken a similar position.
“If India, a month before a tournament, said, ‘Our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup,’ would the ICC have been so firm and said, ‘You know the rules, bad luck, we’re knocking you out?’” Hussain asked on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
“The only thing all sides ask for is consistency. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India must be treated the same. Yes, India fans may say, ‘Cry more, we have the money!’ But with power comes responsibility,” he added.
Though fans have rebuked Hussain, taking to social media and accuse the England great of hypocrisy in light of his own stance on boycotting Zimbabwe in 2003 due to political tensions. In 2009, Zimbabwe players were denied visas to the UK for the T20 World Cup forcing the team to withdraw entirely.
This latest controversy followed Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for its matches after seamer Mustafizur Rahman was withdrawn from the Indian Premier League on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The BCCI did not publicly outline its reasons, and the move came during a period of heightened tension after attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
After Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament, Pakistan announced it would boycott its scheduled T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo on February 15. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the decision as a gesture of solidarity with Bangladesh.
