Former Pakistan skipper, Afridi, is unhappy with a recent move by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The ICC declared its decision on Saturday after what the governing body said were extensive talks with the BCB. The governing body’s decision came after the BCB decided not to send its team to India due to security issues. The ICC therefore decided not to allow Bangladesh but rather sent an invitation to Scotland.
His comments were publicly made on X (social media platform previously known as Twitter), with world cricket experience informing his opinions on the ICC’s handling and accusing it of double standards in security arrangements.
In Twitter, he said, “As a former international cricketer who had played in Bangladesh and had played inICC events, I am really disappointed about today’s inconsistency byICC. Instead of flexibility, there should have been dialogue.”
The previous all-rounder drew parallels with the ICC’s previous accommodation of India’s refusal to tour Pakistan on security issues in 2025. He stated that Bangladesh’s case merited similar consideration, especially in recent times.
“It accepted our security concerns about touring Pakistan in 2025. It now seems it does not have the capacity to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh cricket.”
At the same time, Afridi emphasized that such decisions transcend red tape and touch lives of players as well as fans. He mentioned that the elimination of Bangladesh’s cricket team was not only a problem but touching the lives of “millions of people who watch the game with passion in their hearts.”
“Bangladesh’s players and millions of its fans deserve respect—not mixed standards. The ICC should build bridges—not burn them,” wrote the former skipper.
However, the ICC has yet to respond to Afridi’s comments. Further, in its notification related to the changes, the council again reiterated its pledge to have a smooth tournament, owing to the logistical and operational problems that arose following the BCB’s move.
The 2026 tournament, which is scheduled to be staged in India, is expected to hold matches in various venues, but the non-invitation of Bangladesh is a big news in the run-up to the tournament, raising several questions among experts as well as the former players about how the International Cricket Council is handling the differences in security matters. This dispute is part of a broader discussion on governance and consistency in international cricket, particularly as geopolitical and security considerations increasingly influence scheduling and participation decisions.
