Nasser Hussain Slams ICC Double Standards, Lauds Pakistan’s Principled Boycott of India Match in T20 World Cup
As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 moves closer to its opening match on February 7, former England captain Nasser Hussain has openly criticised the International Cricket Council for what he termed clear double standards, while strongly backing Pakistan’s decision to boycott its group-stage match against India.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast alongside Michael Atherton, Hussain voiced support for both Pakistan and Bangladesh amid the growing controversy surrounding the tournament. He described Pakistan’s decision to skip the high-profile February 15 clash against India in Colombo as a principled stance taken in solidarity with Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh were excluded from the tournament after refusing to travel to India, citing security concerns following the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL squad. Hussain praised Bangladesh for standing firm on their position and said he respected Pakistan for supporting them despite the political implications involved.
Hussain questioned the ICC’s consistency in enforcing its rules, asking whether the same strict approach would have been taken if India had been in a similar situation. He stressed that Bangladesh, Pakistan and India should all be treated equally, adding that selective enforcement only fuels frustration among smaller cricketing nations.
He warned that repeatedly sidelining teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh could weaken their cricket and harm the competitiveness of traditional rivalries. According to Hussain, great contests involving India and its neighbours have become increasingly one-sided over time, partly due to such imbalances in power and decision-making.
Hussain also highlighted the financial impact of Pakistan’s boycott, noting that the India-Pakistan match is one of the ICC’s most lucrative fixtures. He described the move as one of the few ways smaller boards can push back against the dominance of powerful cricketing nations.
Pakistan have confirmed their participation in the tournament but will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, skipping only the India fixture. The decision has reportedly been backed at the highest political level, and the Pakistan Cricket Board has indicated it is prepared to legally challenge any sanctions imposed by the ICC.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka across eight venues and features 20 teams competing in the group stage, followed by the Super Eight, semi-finals and final. The final is scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, although it could be shifted to Colombo under neutral venue arrangements if required.
Pakistan’s squad features Salman Ali Agha as captain, along with Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
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