Harbhajan Singh rips apart Mohsin Naqvi for conspiring vs India before T20 World Cup 2026

Harbhajan Singh calls out Mohsin Naqvi [Source: Mahi_Patel_07, CricketopiaCom/X.com]

The recent controversy, where Bangladesh saw themselves getting replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup 2026, saw a lot of varied opinions from the former players and the cricketing fraternity. While the omission was questioned by some, Mohsin Naqvi from the Pakistan Cricket Board took a strong stance in support of Bangladesh and threatened to leave the competition.

After the decision to replace the team was finalised by the ICC, former India star Harbhajan Singh voiced his opinion on PCB’s Mohsin Naqvi for trying to interfere in the matter, which Pakistan had nothing to do with, questioning their intention to pressure BCCI and ICC with cheap tactics.

Harbhajan Singh questions PCB’s stance on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 snub

Over the last few days, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council, has launched a verbal attack on ICC for an alleged unfair treatment against Bangladesh and showing double standards by not allowing them to play the tournament in Sri Lanka.

Notably, following last year’s ICC Champions Trophy, where India played in Dubai, Pakistan also opted out of touring India for the forthcoming T20 World Cup and will play their matches in Sri Lanka. Harbhajan Singh brought this to attention and asked why Pakistan is being involved in this saga between BCB, ICC and BCCI.

“Pakistan was fishing in muddy waters and trying the game of 2 vs 1. They already are playing in Sri Lanka; this wasn't their matter. Why interfere where you aren't needed? In the end, it is the Bangladesh cricket team and its players who are losing. The players missing out on a World Cup participation is massive,” said Harbhajan Singh, as quoted by PTI.

Was ICC being biased against Bangladesh?

It is worthy to note that the recent geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh came into the forefront in the world of cricket when Mustafizur Rahman was asked to be removed from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad by the BCCI, which then escalated to BCB’s strong stance on the T20 World Cup.

By this time, the schedule and operational arrangements for the tournament for Bangladesh and the rest of the four teams in the group were made, making it logistically difficult to make the last-minute changes. However, a couple of independent bodies reassured Bangladesh players and fan safety in India, but Bangladesh still opted out of the tournament.

As per the original schedule, Bangladesh was supposed to play three Group C matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

Will Pakistan play the T20 World Cup?

As things stand, PCB chair, Mohsin Naqvi, has openly spoken about a chance to skip the competition and that it depends on their government whether they play the tournament or not. So far, there have been no official announcements regarding the matter from any of the parties.

Notably, it is being reported that any boycott from Pakistan at this stage, which could jeopardise the tournament, could end in serious consequences and sanctions from the ICC.