“With power comes responsibility…”: Nasser Hussain slams ICC and BCCI; sides with Bangladesh and Pakistan in boycott debate

The cricketing world has been sent into a tailspin just a week before the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence. In what is being described as one of the most significant administrative crises in the sport’s history, former England captain Nasser Hussain has voiced a scathing critique of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast, Hussain threw his weight behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, arguing that the sport’s integrity is being sacrificed at the altar of financial power.

The controversy erupted following the BCCI’s abrupt termination of Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL contract, a move that many viewed as a punitive measure against the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). In a bold show of solidarity with their players, the BCB refused to travel to India for their scheduled fixtures, resulting in their premature exit from the tournament. This defiance sparked a domino effect, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announcing a boycott of their high-stakes group-stage match against India, citing systemic unfairness and the political weaponization of the game.

Nasser Hussain invokes responsibility mantra in a jibe against India

Hussain’s primary contention lies in what he perceives as a blatant lack of consistency from the ICC. He challenged the global governing body to reflect on how they would react if the roles were reversed. Hussain posed a poignant rhetorical question: if the Indian government barred their team from traveling due to security concerns, would the ICC have the backbone to disqualify them?

“The only question all sides ask for is consistency. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India must be treated the same. Yes, India fans may say, ‘Cry more, we have the money!’ But with power comes responsibility. Constantly knocking Bangladesh or Pakistan diminishes their cricket. That’s why the great games between India and Pakistan or India and Bangladesh have become one-sided over time,” Hussain remarked.

He noted that while India’s financial dominance is undeniable, it should not grant them immunity from the regulations that govern smaller boards. By “constantly knocking” nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan, Hussain argues that the ICC is actively diminishing the competitive quality of international cricket. This imbalance, he suggests, is precisely why once-legendary rivalries have transitioned from nail-biting contests into predictable, one-sided affairs.

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Hussain defends Bangladesh, Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026 boycott standoff

Beyond the administrative finger-pointing, Hussain expressed a rare admiration for the BCB’s refusal to back down. In an era where boards often fold under the immense pressure of the BCCI’s influence, Bangladesh’s decision to “stick to their guns” represents a shift in the geopolitical landscape of the sport. Hussain emphasized that protecting the welfare and dignity of players should take precedence over commercial interests.

The solidarity shown by Pakistan in backing Bangladesh has further underscored a growing rift between the “Big Three” and the rest of the cricketing fraternity. Hussain concluded with a plea for the restoration of the game’s core values, stating, “I actually quite like Bangladesh sticking to their guns, standing up for their players. I quite like Pakistan sticking up for Bangladesh as well. At some stage, someone should say, enough with this politics, can we just get back to playing cricket.”

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