Former Indian Cricketer Harbhajan Singh Condemns Pakistan's Position on Bangladesh World Cup Controversy
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced strong criticism regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding Bangladesh's exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup and Pakistan's public support for their neighboring nation. The Pakistan Cricket Board had previously indicated that its participation in the prestigious tournament would be subject to government guidance, a statement widely interpreted as suggesting Pakistan might withdraw in solidarity with Bangladesh.
Harbhajan Questions Pakistan's Motives and Timing
Harbhajan was particularly critical of Pakistan's stance, describing it as an unnecessary attempt to frame the situation as a "2 vs 1" battle between Pakistan-Bangladesh and India. He questioned both the intent and timing of the PCB's intervention, noting that Pakistan already had matches scheduled in Sri Lanka and that their involvement was not required in this matter.
"Pakistan was fishing in muddy waters and trying the game of 2 vs 1. (Pakistan and Bangladesh against India)," Harbhajan told PTI. "They already are playing in Sri Lanka, this wasn't their matter. Why interfere where you are not needed? In the end, it is Bangladesh cricket team and its players who are losing. The players missing out on a World Cup participation is massive."
ICC Confirms Scotland as Bangladesh Replacement
The International Cricket Council confirmed on Saturday that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the tournament, describing it as a "difficult decision." Officials explained that with the World Cup approaching rapidly, there was no feasible way to accommodate the Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka instead of India.
Harbhajan Criticizes Both BCB and PCB Leadership
Harbhajan also directed criticism toward the Bangladesh Cricket Board, suggesting that ego rather than practical resolution-seeking guided their decisions. "BCB should have kept channels open for discussion with ICC," he emphasized. "They should have maintained open communication with the ICC before immediately refusing to come to India."
The veteran cricketer added that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had no justification for issuing a pull-out threat on Saturday, calling the move completely unnecessary and counterproductive to cricket diplomacy.
Cricketing Perspective: Bangladesh's Missed Opportunity
From a purely cricketing standpoint, Harbhajan pointed out that Bangladesh could have performed exceptionally well on Indian pitches, particularly given the quality of spinners in their squad. He noted that while Bangladesh might have struggled in conditions like England or Australia, the Indian subcontinent pitches offered them a genuine opportunity to advance in the tournament.
"Had the T20 World Cup been played in England or Australia, they didn't even stand a chance, but here they could have actually made it to the second round and maybe cause a few upsets in the Super Eights. So it's no one's loss but Bangladesh's," he concluded, highlighting the significant opportunity cost for Bangladeshi players.
The controversy continues to spark debates across the cricketing world, with former players and analysts weighing in on the diplomatic and sporting implications of Bangladesh's exclusion and the regional dynamics at play in South Asian cricket.
