The impasse between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the T20 World Cup 2026 has caught the attention of the entire cricket world and now former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has openly supported the governing body.
Danish Kaneria supports ICC’s stance on Bangladesh impasse over T20 World Cup 2026
Kaneria supported the ICC’s decision to stick to the original schedule, saying it is not possible to change a global tournament at the last minute. He said that all cricket boards agree with the ICC, therefore Bangladesh’s request for change of venue cannot be accepted.
Bangladesh had asked the ICC to move their matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns. But the ICC rejected the request and said the tournament would go ahead as planned, with Bangladesh’s games still taking place in India. ICC also said that all the teams will get complete security.
Also read: Scotland gets Indian visa as ICC moves fast to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026
The controversy started when BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 squad due to public outcry in the wake of violence and killing of Hindus in the neighboring country. And Kaneria pointed out that Rahman was removed by KKR to avoid trouble and not due to pressure from the ICC or BCCI.
BCCI or ICC never asked Bangladesh not to come to India: Kaneria
“The BCCI or the ICC never asked Bangladesh not to come to India. They welcomed them. All teams under the ICC umbrella get foolproof security,” Danish Kaneria was quoted as saying by IANS.
Kaneria also said that the violence and unrest happening in Bangladesh is very sad and disturbing. People were attacked without any reason and it is very sad to see such things happening and it hurts the spirit of the game. He said, “The strange and disturbing actions that took place were very sad. It really breaks your heart – what is happening?”
He warned that Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India could be very bad for them in the long term. Kaneria said, “If they think that whatever they say should be accepted as a decision by the ICC, then it will not work. Going forward, India will not play Bangladesh anyway and it will be a big loss for them.”
ICC has backup plan if Bangladesh withdraws
The former Pakistan spinner also said that if Bangladesh refuses to play, the ICC has a backup plan. Kaneria said that the ICC meeting received support from almost every major cricket board including England, Australia and West Indies.
Also read: BCB announces legal battle after ICC rejects demand for T20 World Cup 2026 venue change
Only Bangladesh and Pakistan were against the decision, making the last-minute change difficult to justify. Kaneria further said, “I believe that the ICC’s decision is absolutely right because things cannot be changed at the last moment.
You have to prepare the entire tournament structure, schedule and team travel. You have to change the whole scenario. If Bangladesh feels that they do not want to play then they should not play. It won’t make much difference anyway; It’s not like they were going to finish in the top four.”
Pakistan will not follow Bangladesh: Kaneria
Kaneria urged everyone to keep politics away from cricket and focus on the game. He also denied that Pakistan would ever follow Bangladesh’s stance against the ICC.
“I don’t think that will happen. Because who loses? The country that withdraws loses. There are penalties, rules and regulations. If Bangladesh doesn’t go, Scotland can come. If Pakistan refuses, some other team will come. Namibia is playing very good cricket. ICC and BCCI will not be affected,” he said.