Former England captain Nasser Hussain has voiced support for Pakistan and Bangladesh amid mounting uncertainty over the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, warning that political interference is increasingly damaging international cricket.
The tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, but controversy has intensified after Bangladesh declined to travel to India, citing security concerns. The situation escalated further when Pakistan also refused to play its scheduled match against India, putting the high-profile February 15 fixture in Colombo in doubt.
Bangladesh’s stance followed the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the Indian Premier League despite his selection at the auction. The Bangladesh Cricket Board described the episode as a significant factor behind its decision.
Speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast with Michael Atherton, Hussain said he admired both teams for holding firm. He said Bangladesh had shown resolve by standing up for their player, while Pakistan’s support reflected solidarity at a time when cricketing decisions are increasingly influenced by politics.
Hussain said the growing overlap between sport and political disputes was troubling, describing the current environment as discouraging for the game. He pointed to recent incidents during the Asia Cup, including players declining post-match courtesies and controversies surrounding the trophy presentation, as examples of how tensions are spilling onto the field.
“Cricket once acted as a bridge between politically divided nations,” he said, adding that it now appears to be widening those divides, with players increasingly drawn into conflicts that were once confined to governments.
Pakistan’s position has also been reinforced at the state level, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly confirming that the country would not revise its stance despite informal discussions between cricketing authorities.
Hussain noted that Pakistan’s leverage in the dispute was limited, suggesting that the financial importance of an India-Pakistan encounter remained one of the few pressure points available. He also expressed some sympathy for the ICC, acknowledging that Bangladesh’s late withdrawal would have created scheduling and logistical difficulties.
However, he questioned whether the global governing body would respond in the same way if a similar situation involved India. He said consistency in decision-making was critical, warning that unequal treatment risked marginalising teams and weakening the competitiveness of international cricket.
“With power comes responsibility,” Hussain said, cautioning that sidelining teams like Pakistan or Bangladesh could ultimately harm the balance and appeal of the global game.