Naqvi says Bangladesh treated ‘unfairly’ by ICC over India dispute | The Express Tribune
The cricket body is set to replace the Bengal Tigers with Scotland in the tournament
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi lauded the Green Shirts for their spirited performance throughout the series. Photo: AFP
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday criticised what he described as the unfair treatment of Bangladesh in the ongoing dispute over the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, saying no country should be allowed to dictate terms to another in international cricket.
Bangladesh have refused to play their scheduled T20 World Cup matches in India, citing security and political concerns, triggering a standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) that has raised questions over their participation in the tournament.
Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said he had raised Pakistan’s concerns directly at ICC forums, urging the world governing body to treat all member nations equally.
“Bangladesh has been treated unfairly,” Naqvi told reporters. “I said the same in the ICC board meeting. You cannot have double standards, where one country is allowed to make decisions at will, while another is denied the same consideration.”
He added that Bangladesh, as a full ICC member, deserved flexibility over venues and should not face exclusion from a global event. “They are a major stakeholder. This kind of injustice should not happen, and Bangladesh should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case,” he said.
The Pakistan minister stressed that the PCB’s final stance would be aligned with the government’s position, particularly amid speculation of a broader regional response. When asked whether Pakistan could also consider a boycott of the T20 World Cup, Naqvi said the decision would rest with the country’s leadership.
“We are waiting for the prime minister to return. Once that happens, a final decision will be taken,” he said.
Naqvi also suggested that the ICC should consider a hybrid model for Bangladesh, similar to the arrangement previously used for Pakistan-India tournaments, where matches are split across neutral venues.
“Bangladesh is the same member as Pakistan,” he said. “If the ICC can apply a hybrid model in one case, then it should do the same for Bangladesh. One country cannot dictate terms to another.”
Pressed on whether Pakistan had contingency plans if the situation escalated further, Naqvi responded cautiously. “Let the decision come first,” he said. “We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, and even Plan D.”
The comments add to mounting pressure on the ICC as it seeks to protect the integrity of the T20 World Cup in India, while navigating growing diplomatic and political sensitivities involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the global cricket calendar.
