‘This will harm the future of cricket and the game’ – Basit Ali criticizes BCCI for India vs Pakistan row: The 2026 T20 World Cup will be remembered for all the off-field controversies that have been happening since the very beginning of the competition. The India vs Pakistan controversy, following Bangladesh’s removal from the World Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to shift its venues from India to India citing security reasons, after the latter refused to play against the defending champions. They were replaced by Scotland in Group C.
The latest controversy has arisen as former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali is blaming the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the current fiasco ahead of the major tournament. On 1 February, the Pakistan government confirmed their participation in the T20 World Cup, but they also mentioned through social media that they would not play against India. No official reason has been given by them. However, according to reports, the decision was taken to show solidarity with Bangladesh.
Basit Ali accused BCCI
Bangladesh have asked their star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman to change his destinations outside India after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the BCCI had ordered them to do so. He was picked at a whopping price of Rs 9.20 crore in the auction. This did not go down well with fans due to the rising tension between the two countries following the killing of several Hindus in Bangladesh. This did not go down well with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), thus creating a furore.
Basit Ali, while speaking on his YouTube channel, shared his views on this and believed that BCCI should have shown more maturity and made the announcement after the T20 World Cup is over, because it would not have created as much controversy as it is happening now.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ali said, “BCCI made a mistake by releasing Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL early. They could have let the matter cool before making the announcement. If they had done it after the World Cup, we would not be here.” “That’s where the mistake happened. Due to this Bangladesh refused to travel and now Pakistan is postponing its actions.”
Basit Ali speaks on India vs Pakistan controversy
After speaking on the Bangladesh incident, he highlighted the India vs Pakistan match which is under question after the ICC showed the exit door to the Bangla Tigers. As things stand, India are sure to get two points; However, he believes that this is not a good sign for the future of the sport.
Ali said, “If Pakistan does not play India and India forfeits two points, it will harm the future of cricket and the game.” If Pakistan does not take the field against its arch-rivals, monetary sanctions and other sanctions will be imposed by the apex body, which may lead to financial loss to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
‘Pakistan Board has no problem of money’- Basit Ali
However, Basit Ali believes that such things will not happen and the PCB will not suffer any loss by compensating the government.
Ali finally said, “Pakistan Board has no problem of money. The government has asked them to take such a decision and then they will also give money to the PCB.”
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