Shahid Afridi Draws India into Bangladesh T20 World Cup Controversy on Social Media

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has once again stirred controversy with remarks that critics say unnecessarily dragged India into the ongoing dispute between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Afridi’s comments have sparked backlash on social media, with many accusing him of diverting attention from the core issue.

The controversy originates from the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup after the BCB refused to play its scheduled matches in India, citing security concerns. The ICC maintained that it conducted an extensive review and found no credible or verifiable threat, ultimately deciding not to alter the tournament schedule.

Reacting to the development, Afridi took to social media to express what he termed disappointment over the ICC’s “inconsistency.” In his post, the former all-rounder compared Bangladesh’s situation to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, arguing that the ICC had accepted India’s security concerns but was unwilling to extend similar consideration to Bangladesh.

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Afridi further claimed that the governing body’s approach undermined the principle of a level playing field, alleging that the ICC was “burning bridges” instead of strengthening relationships between member nations. He suggested that the ICC’s handling of the issue highlighted a perceived contrast between its treatment of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the BCB.

The ICC, however, has firmly defended its decision. In its official statement announcing Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement, the council said it had engaged in more than three weeks of transparent and constructive dialogue with the BCB, including video conferences and in-person meetings, before reaching its conclusion.

Observers and critics argue that Afridi’s remarks overlook the logistical, contractual, and operational realities of the Bangladesh case. They contend that by bringing India into the debate, Afridi shifted the focus away from the BCB’s refusal to participate under the agreed schedule, reframing the issue through a broader geopolitical lens that many see as unnecessary.

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