Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has expressed support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision not to send its players to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing safety concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League. Bangladesh has already requested an alternative venue from the ICC.
Afridi described Mustafizur’s IPL exclusion as “shameful not only for Bangladesh but for the entire cricketing world” and criticised India for flexing its financial influence.
“It is extremely embarrassing for world cricket. India starts it and they will finish it. Others will also stop dealing with them. Bangladesh’s decision is the right one,” Afridi said. “India is moving forward through the power of money.”
Concerns over ICC leadership have been raised because the current president, Jay Shah, is Indian and previously served as secretary of the BCCI. Many observers believe India may have extra influence within the ICC. Afridi, however, dismissed this notion.
“There are people with good intentions in the ICC. The ICC is not just the Indian Cricket Council; it is the International Cricket Council,” he said. “It is crucial for the ICC to engage properly. Yes, they may lean towards India sometimes, but that must end quickly if cricket is to continue smoothly.”
