Shahid Afridi Slams ICC 'Inconsistency' Over Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Exclusion, Questions India's Influence Under Jay Shah

Karachi, January 25, 2026 – Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who has played in Bangladesh's domestic leagues and multiple ICC events, has voiced strong criticism of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for what he describes as inconsistent application of security concerns in international cricket scheduling.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Afridi said: "As a former international cricketer who has played in Bangladesh and in ICC events, I’m deeply disappointed by today's ICC’s inconsistency. It accepted India’s security concerns for not touring Pakistan in 2025, yet appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh. Consistency and fairness are the foundation of global cricket governance. Bangladesh’s players and millions of its fans deserve respect - not mixed standards. The ICC should build bridges, not burn them."x.com

The remarks come after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. Bangladesh's matches were scheduled in Indian venues (Kolkata and Mumbai), but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send the team, citing security risks for players, officials, and fans amid strained India-Bangladesh political relations. This followed the BCCI's removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 auction or squad amid tensions.espncricinfo.com

The ICC conducted independent security assessments and concluded there was "no credible or verifiable security threat" to the Bangladesh team. After failed negotiations, including shared security protocols and a 24-hour deadline that went unmet, the ICC board voted to exclude Bangladesh to preserve the tournament schedule and avoid setting precedents that could undermine future events.espncricinfo.com

facebook.com

Evergreen Handsome Shahid Afridi in BPL 2025.

BCB president Aminul Islam accused the ICC of double standards, noting that the governing body had accommodated India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. In that case, citing security and government approval issues, India played its matches via a "hybrid model" in the UAE (primarily Dubai/Abu Dhabi), while Pakistan hosted other games.sports.ndtv.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com

Critics, including Afridi and the BCB, argue this reveals selective enforcement favoring stronger nations.

India's Growing Influence in ICC Under Jay Shah

Jay Shah, elected ICC Chairman in late 2024 (taking full effect around then), is a former BCCI secretary and son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. His unopposed rise has intensified debates about India's dominance in global cricket governance. The BCCI generates the overwhelming majority of ICC revenues (often estimated at 60-70% through IPL broadcasting and sponsorships), giving India substantial leverage over decisions, scheduling, and revenue distribution.dw.com

Shah's appointment drew accusations of nepotism and blurred lines between cricket administration and Indian politics. Critics have highlighted his centralization of power within the BCCI and its spillover into ICC policies, with some viewing decisions as disproportionately protective of Indian interests. Shah has also faced scrutiny over political social media posts perceived as violating ICC neutrality codes.caravanmagazine.inturkiyetoday.com

olympics.com

Jay Shah elected as new chairperson of International Cricket Council

Historical Context: Past Indian Scandals

India's influence has persisted despite a history of scandals within Indian cricket that tested ICC credibility:

• In the early 2000s match-fixing era, Indian players like Mohammad Azharuddin (lifetime ban, later lifted by BCCI), Ajay Jadeja, and others faced allegations and bans for associations with bookmakers.
• The 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal led to lifetime bans (later reduced) for players including S. Sreesanth and team officials, exposing betting syndicates linked to matches.
• Broader BCCI governance issues have included conflict-of-interest controversies and administrative power struggles.en.wikipedia.org

While the ICC has imposed sanctions in these cases, the perception lingers that financial clout has sometimes shielded Indian cricket from stricter long-term repercussions compared to smaller boards.

Afridi's comments echo broader frustration among associate and smaller full-member nations about fairness in an India-centric ecosystem. The ICC maintains its decisions are based on evidence, neutrality, and tournament integrity, rejecting any favoritism.

As the 2026 T20 World Cup approaches, this episode risks further polarizing cricket's global landscape and testing the ICC's ability to uphold equitable standards. Bangladesh has indicated it may appeal to the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee.