The International Cricket Council (ICC) has faced criticism from cricket players and officials after expelling Bangladesh from the Men's T20 World Cup. The decision followed a disagreement over the venues for Bangladesh's fixtures, with the team refusing to travel to India due to security concerns.

Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf have voiced their disappointment and concerns regarding the ICC's decision. Afridi expressed his disappointment on X, stating that Bangladesh's players and fans "deserve respect – not mixed standards" and that "the ICC should build bridges, not burn them". He highlighted what he sees as inconsistency by the ICC, pointing out that India's security concerns were accommodated when they refused to tour Pakistan in 2025, leading to a neutral venue being approved.

Mohammad Yousuf echoed Afridi's sentiments, lamenting that a "cricket-loving nation like Bangladesh" was being deprived of the sport due to unaddressed security concerns. He also pointed to the precedent of approving neutral venues when similar concerns were raised in the past. Yousuf urged the ICC to maintain fairness and consistency across all its practices, acting as a truly international body rather than favoring specific boards. "Standards cannot change from country to country," Yousuf stated. "The ICC must act as the International Cricket Council, not appear to serve the interests of any single board. Fairness and consistency are the foundation of global cricket".

The ICC's decision to reject Bangladesh's request to move their matches to Sri Lanka was based on the infeasibility of changing the schedule close to the tournament's start on February 7. However, this rationale has been questioned by former players, who point to the ICC's recent decision to relocate India's fixtures from Pakistan to a neutral venue due to similar security concerns. This has led to accusations of double standards and a lack of impartiality.

The situation arose after India refused to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025, prompting the ICC to broker an agreement allowing them to play at a neutral venue. All of India's Champions Trophy matches, including the final, were subsequently hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The ICC has been criticized for potentially damaging the reputation of the game and not honoring agreements. Concerns have also been raised about a lack of meaningful consultation with players and their representatives and the sport's existing operating model at a global level. These issues, if unaddressed, could weaken trust, unity, and the future of cricket.

The backlash highlights the delicate balance the ICC must strike between ensuring the safety and security of participating teams and maintaining fairness and consistency in its decision-making processes. With tensions already existing between India and Bangladesh due to recent political issues, the ICC's decision has further fueled the debate about impartiality and equal treatment within the global cricket community.