Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) general secretary and ex-Asian Cricket Council (ACC) CEO Syed Ashraful Haque has launched a strong critique of cricket governance in Asia, alleging that the sport has been overtaken by political interests. His comments come amid escalating tensions between the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following India’s directive preventing Mustafizur Rahman from participating in the IPL 2026 due to widespread protests in the country.
In response, Bangladesh has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that its matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup be shifted outside India. Addressing the controversy, Haque sharply criticised ICC Chairman Jay Shah and other key figures in Indian and Bangladeshi cricket administration, accusing them of lacking both cricketing experience and maturity.
Haque argued that such disputes would not have arisen under the leadership of past administrators like Jagmohan Dalmia, IS Bindra, Madhavrao Scindia, NKP Salve, or N Srinivasan, whom he described as individuals who understood both the game and its broader implications. He further alleged that religious sentiments are being exploited, placing the World Cup in uncertainty.
Emphasising the distinction between domestic leagues and global tournaments, Haque criticised what he called reckless statements surrounding Bangladesh’s participation, stressing that the T20 World Cup is an international event and should not be politicised. He suggested relocating Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka as a practical compromise, stating that such a move would benefit all parties involved.
While acknowledging potential financial losses, Haque maintained that national pride must take precedence. He also highlighted the historically strong relationship between India and Bangladesh, noting India’s significant role in helping Bangladesh achieve 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. Although the ICC has yet to confirm any changes to the venue, the BCB has stated that the governing body is open to assessing Bangladesh’s security concerns. On January 8, the BCB formally outlined specific safety issues related to travel to India and reiterated its request to relocate the matches to Sri Lanka.
