Shahid Afridi Slams ICC Over Alleged Double Standards on Pakistan and Bangladesh

Karachi:Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has expressed strong disappointment over what he described as the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) alleged double standards in handling security-related matters involving Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Afridi said that the ICC took India’s security concerns regarding tours to Pakistan seriously, but is not showing the same approach in the case of Bangladesh. He emphasized that global cricket governance should be based on consistency, justice, and equality.

“Discriminatory decisions not only damage the credibility of institutions but also harm the true spirit of the game,” Afridi said. He stressed that instead of fueling differences, the ICC should play a role in promoting dialogue, unity, and cooperation within the cricketing world.

Meanwhile, the World Cricketers’ Association has also expressed concern over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup. The association’s president termed Bangladesh’s absence from the global event as an unfortunate moment for international cricket.

He added that all stakeholders should work towards keeping the game united rather than divided. According to him, Bangladesh’s non-participation in the T20 World Cup is a major setback not only for Bangladeshi players but for the entire nation.

On the other hand, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has accepted the ICC’s decision to exclude the team from the T20 World Cup, though questions are being raised globally over the fairness and transparency of the move.