Former England captain Nasser Hussain on Wednesday called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to maintain consistency in applying rules to all teams, amid Pakistan decision to boycott its February 15 T20 World Cup match against India.
Read More: Pakistan–India T20 row: ICC steps in
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain highlighted the issue of fairness, questioning whether India would face similar treatment if it declined to play due to political concerns. “The real comparison would be… if India, a month before a tournament, said our government does not want us to go, would the ICC have been so firm and say, ‘you know the rules, bad luck, we’re knocking you out’?” he asked.
“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
Hussain warned that repeatedly penalizing teams can weaken cricket in those countries and reduce the competitiveness of major rivalries. He also noted potential spillover into franchise cricket, citing concerns over whether IPL-owned franchises might exclude Pakistani or Bangladeshi players in leagues like The Hundred. Former England captain Michael Atherton said the policy is expected to remain unchanged, with the ECB assuring that participation remains open to all players.
The comments follow Pakistan’s firm stance on not taking the field against India, in solidarity with Bangladesh, whose team was removed from the tournament after refusing to play in India due to security concerns related to Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from the IPL. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed the decision, emphasizing that politics should have no place in sport while stressing Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh.
Read More: T20 World Cup: ICC seeks ‘backchannel talks’ after Pakistan boycott India match
The ICC has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider, saying the decision is not in the global game’s interest or that of fans. Pakistan and India last faced off under neutral venue arrangements brokered by the ICC following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Currently, Pakistan’s team is in Colombo, participating in the T20 World Cup co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.