New Delhi: Now there is talk of increasingly politics than cricket in the T20 World Cup 2026. Actually the whole issue started when Bangladesh refused to play their matches in India. The reason given was "security concerns." The ICC rejected their request and replaced them with Scotland in the tournament. That's when the controversy erupted.
How did the matter start?
Pakistan also announced that it will not play the match versus India in Colombo on 15 February. The Pakistan government gave well-spoken instructions to the PCB that the team will not participate in this match.
Bangladesh's sports counselor Asif Nazrul directly wrote on social media – "Thank you, Pakistan". He said that Pakistan has taken this step in support of Bangladesh. This does not seem to be just a matter of cricket, but something like political solidarity.
What was the statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan?
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif moreover openly said that there should be no politics in sports, hence the match will not be played versus India. He moreover said that we stand completely with Bangladesh.
All this is moreover related to the politics of Bangladesh. There, without the removal of Sheikh Hasina's government, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus has come. Without the new setup, relations with India have cooled lanugo a bit, while friendship with Pakistan is increasing.
Was the treatise of ‘security concerns’ strong?
Now the interesting thing is that questions are stuff raised on the issue of “security concerns”. Because at the same time a shooter from Bangladesh had got permission to play the Asian Shooting Championship in Delhi. So why not the cricket team?
The relationship is really getting closer. Direct flights started between Dhaka and Islamabad without 14 years. Business is growing, military cooperation has moreover intensified – joint naval exercises have taken place, talks well-nigh defense deals are going on.
Is this just a cricket dispute?
It looks like a cricket fight, but in reality it is a game of affairs and politics. Cricket has wilt just an excuse. The real story is well-nigh waffly regional equations and friendship-enmity. This snub of the T20 World Cup is increasingly a political stand than a cricket one. The new government of Bangladesh wants to show that now their priorities have changed, and Pakistan is openly supporting it.
Cricket is just a stage, the real competition is of politics.
