Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) general secretary and ex-Asian Cricket Council CEO Syed Ashraful Haque has launched a scathing attack on cricket governance in South Asia, alleging that the game’s administration has been “hijacked by politicians” amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh.
The comments come against the backdrop of a growing row between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, following the BCCI’s decision to prevent Mustafizur Rahman from participating in the Indian Premier League 2026.
The decision, reportedly taken amid protests in India over targeted killings of Hindus in Bangladesh, has escalated into a wider dispute, with the BCB requesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move Bangladesh’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India, citing security concerns.
In a blunt interview, Haque criticised the current leadership across cricket boards, singling out ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“The whole cricket ecosystem in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan—everywhere—has been hijacked by politicians. You have people who have never held a bat. In your case, you have Jay Shah, who has never even held a cricket bat in a competitive match,” Haque told TimesofIndia.com.
He contrasted the current scenario with earlier administrators such as Jagmohan Dalmiya, IS Bindra, Madhavrao Scindia, NKP Salve and N Srinivasan, arguing that experienced leadership would have prevented the present crisis.
Haque stressed that the T20 World Cup cannot be treated like a domestic league.
“This is a World Cup event. This is not the IPL. You cannot come out with rash statements like this and put an international tournament in jeopardy,” he said.
He further accused politicians of exploiting religious sentiment and election cycles in states like West Bengal and Assam, warning that such actions risk undermining the integrity of global cricket.
Haque suggested that shifting Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka could provide a “win-win solution” for all parties. While acknowledging potential financial losses, he argued that national pride must take precedence.
He also highlighted the historically close ties between India and Bangladesh, recalling the role played by the BCCI in helping Bangladesh attain Test status.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The ICC has not yet confirmed any venue changes but has reportedly expressed willingness to engage with the BCB and assess the security concerns raised.
As the standoff continues, Haque’s remarks have added fuel to an already volatile debate, placing renewed scrutiny on cricket governance, politics, and the future of the T20 World Cup schedule.
