Former India Star Suresh Raina has issued a stern warning to Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi over the possibility of withdrawing from the 2026 T20 World Cup, following Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Legends Pro T20 League, Raina placed the blame for the controversy squarely on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who refused to travel to India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh was subsequently removed from the tournament and replaced by Scotland.
Raina dismissed the security concerns raised by Bangladesh as “baseless” and argued that the team missed out on a valuable competitive opportunity. “If they would have come to India, it would have been different because the Bangladesh team is very strong. Their spinners know the conditions really well,” he said. He added that avoiding the tournament would deprive both players and fans of world-class cricket.
Addressing the Pakistan Cricket Board, Raina was blunt: any withdrawal would invite strict ICC sanctions. “As the ICC chairman said, they’re going to take strict action against those who are not coming to India,” he noted, emphasizing that the commercial, cultural, and competitive losses would far outweigh any political statement.
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Raina also reflected on his own experiences in India’s major tournaments, including the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2016 T20 World Cup, describing the atmosphere as a “festival” that every cricketing nation should want to be part of.
Despite criticizing the BCB, Raina acknowledged the cricketing quality Bangladesh would have brought to the tournament, highlighting their world-class spinners as a formidable threat in subcontinental conditions.
On the World Legends Pro T20 League, Raina said the league successfully brings players together, offering a vibrant and entertaining experience for fans. “The stadium is beautiful, the crowds have been turning up in big numbers, and the atmosphere in Goa is full of energy,” he added.
With Pakistan expected to announce its final decision on Monday, February 2, Raina’s message to Mohsin Naqvi is clear: staying away from India would carry significant consequences, both on and off the field.
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