Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has now added new fuel to the growing T20 World Cup 2026 controversy and openly supported Bangladesh while indirectly taking a dig at India’s influence in world cricket.
Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from IPL has created panic in the political and cricket world.
All this drama is related to the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 squad by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the orders of BCCI due to the current situation of Hindus in the country. This move did not go well in Bangladesh.
Soon after, the Bangladesh government banned IPL telecast in the country. Later, the BCB officially requested the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 group matches out of India citing security concerns, otherwise they will be out of the tournament.
Also read: Bangladesh sports advisor cries on live TV during BPL final as ICC expels team from T20 World Cup
But the ICC refused to change the schedule as after investigation they found no security threat to the Bangladesh cricket team and its fans in India and stood by their decision. In a last-ditch effort to save their place in the T20 World Cup 2026, Bangladesh went to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee.
Scotland to replace Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2026 if ICC holds firm
However, due to ICC rules his request could not be heard. Meanwhile, Pakistan has recently voted in favor of Bangladesh in the ICC board meeting. Even the PCB had reportedly sent an email to the ICC supporting Bangladesh’s stance. Pakistani media have also claimed that the 2009 champions may withdraw from the upcoming event if the issue is not resolved properly.
With less than two weeks left for the T20 World Cup 2026 to begin in India and Sri Lanka, the situation between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has become quite serious. Now, Scotland had already been sent an invitation by the ICC to replace Bangladesh in the global event after the BCB failed to fulfill its policy.
Najam Sethi takes T20 World Cup 2026 by storm, backs Bangladesh
Now, Najam Sethi has publicly supported current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and said that he has confidence in his understanding of both cricket and the bigger picture. Sethi also hinted that this entire situation shows how much power India wields in global cricket decisions.
Also read: ICC officially excludes Bangladesh from T20 World Cup 2026; Scotland joins Group C
“Bangladesh has decided to boycott the World Cup; now it remains to be seen what decision the PCB takes. Mohsin Naqvi understands the game and has a good grip on all aspects. Whatever decision he takes will be right,” Najam Sethi told local media as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Sethi raised questions on ICC’s impartiality, targeted BCCI
He further suggested that if more countries come together and support Bangladesh, the ICC will be forced to listen. The former PCB boss also stressed that the ICC headed by Jay Shah should work for all countries and not just a powerful board which is targeting the BCCI.
His comments were referring to the global body voting 14-2 to hold Bangladesh’s matches in India after an independent security review said the security risk was low to moderate.
Sethi signed off by saying, “If other countries stand up after Pakistan, the ICC will realize that it is not the Indian Cricket Council but the International Cricket Council.”
