Amidst the escalating controversy surrounding Bangladesh's exclusion from the upcoming T20 World Cup, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its perceived interference in the matter. Singh accused Pakistan of "fishing in muddy waters" and attempting to create a "2 vs 1" situation against India. His remarks come after the PCB expressed support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) concerns regarding traveling to India for the tournament, citing regional political instability.
The backdrop to this controversy involves Bangladesh's reservations about participating in the T20 World Cup in India, which is scheduled to begin on February 7. The BCB had formally requested the ICC to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns. This request followed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to remove Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi fast bowler, from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL squad.
Harbhajan Singh didn't mince words, stating, "Pakistan was fishing in muddy waters and trying the game of 2 vs 1 (Pakistan and Bangladesh against India)". He further questioned Pakistan's involvement, pointing out that their matches were scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. "They already are playing in Sri Lanka, this wasn't their matter. Why interfere where you are not needed?" Singh asserted, emphasizing that the ultimate losers in this situation are the Bangladesh cricket team and its players, who are missing out on a major tournament.
The situation briefly intensified when PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi hinted at a possible withdrawal from the T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, stating that the decision would depend on government advice. However, this threat dissipated when Pakistan announced its 15-member squad for the event on Sunday.
Singh suggested that the BCB adopted a confrontational approach, and "They should have kept the channels open for discussion with the ICC before straightaway saying 'no' to coming to India". He argued that Bangladesh had the most to lose from a cricketing perspective. Unlike India and Pakistan, which operate under a formal neutral-venue framework for ICC events, Bangladesh lacks any such institutional protection. The immediate consequences include the loss of World Cup participation, revenue setbacks, and reduced global exposure for its players.
The ICC has since confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C of the T20 World Cup. This decision has sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many questioning the fairness of the ICC's decision-making process.
The exclusion of Bangladesh has broader implications for cricket in the Indian sub-continent. Some observers believe that Bangladesh overreacted and was provoked by Pakistan, attempting to demonstrate toughness and teach India a lesson. However, in doing so, they overlooked the importance of maintaining positive relationships and working within the established frameworks of international sports governance.
Ultimately, the T20 World Cup controversy highlights the complex interplay of politics and cricket in the region. While the PCB's intentions may have been to support a fellow member board, their actions have been perceived by some as meddling and have drawn strong criticism from figures like Harbhajan Singh. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and open communication in resolving disputes within the international cricketing community.
