“ICC not Indian Cricket Council”: Ex-PCB chief reacts to Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 exit

Najam Sethi and Mohsin Naqvi [Source: @IkramicOfficial/x]Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has called out the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their refusal in entertaining the demands of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). It is worth noting that the BCB has refused to send the Bangladesh team to India next month for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup citing security concerns. The concerns were raised shortly the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) demanded the KKR franchise to expel senior Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The decision sparked a wide outrage in Bangladesh, with the nation’s government banning broadcasting of IPL matches in the country. Najam Sethi urges nations to join Bangladesh to teach ICC a lesson The ICC has refused to entertain BCB’s demands of shifting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. With Bangladesh remaining adamant on their refusal in travelling to India, earlier report indicated that the ICC might well replace the Bangladesh team with Scotland at the showpiece event next month. Several outlets are claiming that following the ICC’s latest decision, the PCB might also reconsider Pakistan’s stance towards the tournament in support of the BCB. Addressing the aforementioned reports, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi praised active chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Sethi added that he believes Naqvi will make the right decision in regards to Pakistan’s support for the Bangladesh team. Praising Mohsin Naqvi, he said, “Whatever decision he makes will be the right one.” Najam Sethi also urged other countries to stand up with Pakistan in supporting the BCB. The ex-PCB chairman believes that such a union will teach ICC a lesson, and make them “realise” that they are not under the influence of Indian cricket alone. He added, “If other countries stand up after Pakistan, ICC will realise that this is not Indian Cricket Council, but the International Cricket Council.” BCCI vs BCB vs ICC – The entire T20 World Cup 2026 timeline Earlier this month, the BCB and Bangladesh government refused to send the Bangladesh team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup next month. The BCB confirmed their decision as part of their protest against the BCCI for expelling Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 season. With BCCI removing Rahman from IPL 2026 overseas roaster in light of the prevailing geo-political tensions between the two countries, the BCB responded back by urging the ICC to relocate their T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC later rejected Bangladesh’s plea, and warned them of getting replaced with Scotland at the showpiece event. Bangladesh has now approached the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) in a bid to overturn their decision and meet their demands instead. As it turned out, media reports suggest that the apex body will be formally announcing Bangladesh’s replacement by the weekend. As per the initial schedule, the Bangladesh team was placed in Group C of the 2026 T20 World Cup alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal. Their group fixtures were set to be hosted by the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.