Mohammad Yousaf Called Out: Bangladesh Viewership Numbers Were Population Figures
Mohammad Yousaf's viewership defence of Bangladesh was fact-checked: he cited population figures instead of actual cricket audiences.
Former Pakistan cricket star Mohammad Yousaf triggered a heated discussion on social media regarding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026, only for his claims to be fact-checked and partially disputed.
Yousaf criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for removing Bangladesh from the tournament after the country requested changes to its match venues in India and Sri Lanka, citing security concerns that the ICC found “unfounded”. He argued that sidelining Bangladesh could result in significant viewership losses, tweeting:
"The combined cricket viewership of New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan is broadly equivalent to the viewership Bangladesh generates on its own."
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Yousaf’s post, however, was quickly fact-checked by the community on social media. Analysts noted that the numbers he cited—178 million for ten countries versus 176 million for Bangladesh—reflect population figures, not cricket viewership. Community notes clarified that Bangladesh accounts for roughly 4–5% of global cricket viewership, whereas countries like Australia have far higher household penetration of the sport.
The controversy comes amid discussions within Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) circles about a potential withdrawal from the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the matter, though the government has deferred its final decision. Analysts warn that withdrawal could expose Pakistan to international sanctions and financial losses, affecting the board’s operations.
While Yousaf’s comments stirred debate on social media, cricket experts emphasise that Bangladesh’s removal was based on ICC assessments of security feasibility, and replacing them with Scotland was deemed the most practical solution to keep the tournament on schedule.
Bangladesh’s exclusion and Pakistan’s ongoing deliberations highlight the complex intersection of politics, security, and cricket administration, as the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
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