Indian journalist slams ICC, BCCI over Bangladesh’s exit from T20 World Cup

Indian journalist Sharda Ugra has sharply criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup and Pakistan’s threat to boycott its match against India.

Ugra said the ICC has effectively become an extension of the BCCI, claiming its Dubai office now operates in line with the Indian board’s interests. She added that this influence was evident during the ICC Executive Board meeting and that the handling of the World Cup controversy has significantly damaged the ICC’s credibility.

According to Ugra, the crisis began when Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL), a move she described as politically motivated and influenced by India’s ruling establishment.

She also questioned why Indian players were prevented from shaking hands with Pakistani cricketers in the past, noting that the issue has never been officially explained.

Ugra warned that Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournament would cause significant financial and reputational damage to the ICC, highlighting that India-Pakistan matches generate massive revenue. She added that India’s growing influence in international cricket and over other boards contributed to the current crisis, noting that if the ICC had appointed a CEO from another country, the situation might have been handled differently.

She criticized the ICC for no longer being a serious sports body and said cricket, once a shared cultural sport, has become a platform for political disputes. She also noted that Bangladesh did not receive the same facilities as India due to its limited influence.

Ugra added that the cricket boards of England and Australia have acted as facilitators for the BCCI, and that honoring Bangladesh’s demands would have hurt India’s pride.