Former England captain Nasser Hussain has sparked a wider debate on fairness and consistency in global cricket governance by questioning whether the ICC would have acted as firmly if India had raised last-minute security concerns ahead of a major tournament. Hussain’s comments come after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland for the 2026 T20 World Cup following their refusal to travel to India, despite the ICC conducting an independent security assessment and assuring the Bangladesh Cricket Board that there was no threat to their players or support staff.

The decision to eject Bangladesh has triggered strong reactions across the cricketing world, especially with the tournament just weeks away. In a further escalation, the Pakistan government announced that its men’s team would not take the field against India for their Group A clash on February 15, citing solidarity with Bangladesh.

The ICC has since urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to reconsider, while warning of potential long-term consequences if the fixture is not fulfilled. The episode has once again highlighted how geopolitics continues to shape cricket’s biggest events. Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, put forward a blunt hypothetical that has resonated with fans and former players alike.

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“If India, a month before a tournament, said ‘our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup’, would the ICC have been so firm and said, ‘You know the rules. Bad luck! We’re knocking you out?’” he asked. The implication was clear: the ICC’s response might differ when the most powerful board in world cricket is involved.

“If India, a month before a tournament, said their government didn’t want them to play in a country for a World Cup, would ICC really be so firm?” – Nasser Hussain

Calling out India & ICC’s double standards, while praising Bangladesh and Pakistan for stepping up. pic.twitter.com/jn6IT79HmD

— Kh4N PCT (@Kh4N_PCT) February 4, 2026

While acknowledging the BCCI’s unmatched financial influence, Nasser Hussain stressed that equal treatment is the only way to preserve the integrity of international cricket.

“The only question all sides ask for is consistency. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India must be treated the same,” he said, adding that power brings responsibility. In his view, repeatedly sidelining teams like Bangladesh and Pakistan risks weakening the competitive balance of the sport, which in turn diminishes the quality of marquee rivalries such as India vs Pakistan and India vs Bangladesh.

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Hussain also warned that political tensions are seeping into franchise cricket, raising uncomfortable questions about whether teams with Indian ownership will continue to sign Pakistani or Bangladeshi players in leagues like The Hundred. While he backed Bangladesh for standing by their concerns and appreciated Pakistan’s show of support, Hussain ultimately called for a reset. At some point, he argued, cricket’s administrators need to draw a line under politics and allow the sport to be decided on the field, not in boardrooms.