![Salman Agha extends support for Bangladesh [Source: @dhillow_/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770285593776_PakistanbacksBangladesh.jpg?type=hq)
Salman Agha extends support for Bangladesh [Source: @dhillow_/x]
Pakistan captain Salman Agha took a sly dig at the BCCI and the ICC ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Currently in Sri Lanka for the showpiece event, the star all-rounder extended Pakistan’s full support towards the ousted Bangladesh team.
Agha Salman also described Bangladesh as “Pakistan’s brothers”, and expressed his disappointment over Bangladesh’s non-participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan captain takes a dig at BCCI, ICC
Salman Agha and his Pakistan teammates are currently in Sri Lanka for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Salman Agha was recently asked about Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament by the ICC.
Amidst the current standoff between the ICC, BCCI and PCB, BCB; Pakistan captain extended his gratitude towards the Bangladesh team. As quoted by Revsportz, Salman Agha said “Bangladeshis are our brothers. We are grateful for their support for Pakistan. It’s a pity that they are not playing in the tournament.”
Salman Agha's comments can be perceived as a sly dig at the BCCI and the ICC during sensitive times surrounding the fate of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Even though the tournament is still a couple of days away from its launch, the showpiece event has already been marred by severe controversies stemming from the severing geo-political ties between India and Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Pakistan withdraws from India match to support Bangladesh
Earlier this month, the Pakistan government barred the Pakistan team from facing India on February 15 in the Group A match of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The government likely made the decision as part of their political and cricketing protest against the Indian government and the BCCI.
Moreover, Pakistan also made the call in a bid to support the Bangladesh team amidst their removal from the T20 World Cup 2026 by the ICC last month. It is worth noting that the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland as the BCB remained adamant on not playing their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India citing “security concerns”.
Pakistan’s severing political ties with India also took a turn for the worse last year, with cricket getting caught in the crossfire after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The players from both sides refused to interact with each other at the Asia Cup 2025, and the Indian team even refused to collect the winning trophy from PCB chairman and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.
Agha Salman to lead Pakistan in Group A this week
Nonetheless, the Pakistan team will now commence its Group A campaign of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup on February 7 later this week. Under the leadership of Salman Agha, the ‘Men in Green’ will face Netherlands at the SSC Cricket Club in Colombo.
They will subsequently face USA on February 10, and Namibia on February 18 at the same venue. As of now, it remains to be seen if the Pakistan government or the PCB will reverse their decision of India boycott. As per the original schedule, the Pakistan team will face India on February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
