Former India Cricketer Atul Wassan Condemns PCB Chief's World Cup Remarks
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has issued a strong response to comments made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding Pakistan's potential withdrawal from the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Wassan expressed his frustration with what he perceives as the unnecessary injection of politics into the sport, stating that such actions ultimately damage cricket's integrity and spirit.
'Foolish Bravado' That Harms Players
In an interview with ANI, Wassan did not mince words when addressing Naqvi's statements. 'I think this is just a bravado, and it's foolish bravado at best to just eyeball ICC and blackmail the whole cricketing world order,' Wassan declared. He emphasized that using cricket as a political tool creates collateral damage that primarily affects the players themselves.
'What they are doing now is just using cricket and their collateral damage players,' Wassan continued. 'Who will face the collateral damage? Players will suffer. They don't know anything because they are political capital, so their work will go on. You made cricket an issue and raised your moustache. Because they think that it will be a big brownie point for them see that we have supported Bangladesh.'
Background of the Controversy
Wassan's comments come directly after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi suggested that Pakistan might reconsider its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. This statement followed the International Cricket Council's recent decision to remove Bangladesh from the tournament lineup.
Naqvi had openly supported Bangladesh during this controversy, accusing the ICC of applying unfair treatment and double standards. 'Bangladesh has been treated unfairly,' Naqvi stated. 'I said the same in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council. You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country.'
The PCB chairman further elaborated on his position, saying, 'That is why we have taken the stand that Bangladesh is being treated unfairly and should be allowed to play the World Cup in any case. They are a major stakeholder, and this injustice should not be done.'
ICC's Official Decision and Tournament Changes
The International Cricket Council confirmed on Saturday that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the 2026 T20 World Cup tournament. This decision came after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to participate according to the published tournament schedule. As a result of this change, Scotland will now compete in Group C alongside established cricket nations including England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies.
This development has created significant discussion within the cricketing community about tournament regulations, team participation rights, and the balance between sporting commitments and political considerations. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges international cricket bodies face when navigating complex geopolitical landscapes while trying to maintain the sport's competitive integrity.
Wassan's strong reaction underscores the growing concern among former players and cricket enthusiasts about the increasing politicization of international cricket tournaments. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within the cricketing world that such political posturing ultimately harms the players, diminishes fan experiences, and threatens the global appeal of the sport that has brought nations together for decades.
