T20 World Cup 2026: Ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain revealed that he sometimes thinks about whether the International Cricket Council (ICC) would've reacted similarly if it were India who had complained about security issues just a few days before the T20 World Cup, as it did to Bangladesh. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland after their cricket board was adamant on not going to India for the mega event, even though the ICC assured them of no security threat to their team.

Pakistan's government then showed its support for Bangladesh by boycotting the high-octane clash against arch-rival India next week. ICC then told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rethink their decision and also warned them of long-term fines.

“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 was quoted as saying on Sky Sports.

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He emphasised that all members should be treated equally, even though the BCCI is one of the richest cricket boards.

“The only question 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. Constantly knocking Bangladesh or Pakistan diminishes their cricket. That’s why the great games between India and Pakistan or India and Bangladesh have become one-sided as they have done. The politics is also spreading through the franchise cricket. Will our franchises (The Hundred) with Indian owners pick Pakistani players? Now will they pick Bangladeshi players?" he added.

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He also said that he doesn't have any problems with Bangladesh sticking to their stance and Pakistan supporting them. “I actually quite like Bangladesh sticking to their guns; they stood up for their player (Mustafizur Rahman). I quite like Pakistan sticking up for Bangladesh as well. At some stage, someone should say, " Enough with this politics, can we just get back to playing cricket?" he concluded.