Cricket diplomacy just got messy—and former Indian star Harbhajan Singh isn’t holding back.
In a fiery statement that’s reigniting tensions across the subcontinent, Harbhajan slammed Pakistan for what he called “fishing in muddy waters” amid the ongoing Bangladesh T20 WC row. The controversy stems from Bangladesh’s potential exclusion from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to governance issues within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). While Dhaka scrambles for a resolution, Pakistan’s public support for Bangladesh has drawn sharp criticism—not for its intent, but for its timing and motive.
“This isn’t solidarity—it’s opportunism,” Harbhajan said in a recent interview. “When you’re trying to create a ‘2 vs 1’ narrative between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, you’re not helping cricket. You’re hurting the very players who’ve trained their whole lives for this moment.”
The Bangladesh T20 WC row erupted in early January 2026 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a formal warning to the BCB over alleged government interference in its internal elections—a clear violation of ICC’s membership criteria requiring autonomous governance .
If unresolved by February 2026, Bangladesh risks being barred from the T20 World Cup, despite having qualified on merit. This would mark the first time a Full Member nation is excluded from a global event due to administrative failures, not performance.
Enter Pakistan. Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a public statement urging the ICC to “show leniency” toward Bangladesh, framing the issue as one of “South Asian unity.” On the surface, it sounds noble. But Harbhajan sees it differently.
“Pakistan is fishing in muddy waters,” he declared. “They know Bangladesh is vulnerable. By jumping in now, they’re trying to paint India as the villain in a story where India hasn’t even spoken.”
His point? India has remained silent on the matter, focusing instead on its own preparations. Yet Pakistan’s intervention—widely shared on social media with anti-India hashtags—has turned a governance issue into a regional blame game.
Analysts suggest Pakistan’s move serves multiple purposes:
But as Harbhajan argues, such maneuvering does little to solve the actual problem—and may even delay a resolution by politicizing it.
Harbhajan didn’t spare the BCB either. He suggested that the board’s leadership is “letting ego override common sense,” refusing to compromise with the government or the ICC to fast-track reforms.
“The players are innocent,” he emphasized. “They’ve earned their spot. But if the BCB won’t swallow its pride and fix the paperwork, an entire generation could miss their World Cup dream.”
Reports indicate that a simple restructuring of the BCB election committee—removing government-appointed members—could satisfy the ICC. Yet talks remain stalled, with both sides digging in .
While boards and politicians spar, the human cost is mounting:
As one anonymous BCB insider told ESPNcricinfo: “We’re not fighting for power. We’re fighting for our kids’ futures.”
The ICC has maintained a firm but fair stance. In a statement, it clarified that the issue is “not about punishment, but principle.”
“All 12 Full Members must adhere to the same constitutional standards. No exceptions,” said an ICC spokesperson .
The body has offered technical assistance to help the BCB restructure, but insists that compliance must be demonstrated before the February deadline. For more on ICC governance rules, see [INTERNAL_LINK:icc-membership-criteria-explained].
Harbhajan Singh’s outburst is a wake-up call. The Bangladesh T20 WC row isn’t a stage for regional rivalries—it’s a test of whether cricket’s governing bodies can put players first. Pakistan’s well-intentioned but poorly timed intervention, coupled with the BCB’s stubbornness, risks turning a solvable crisis into a historic injustice. As the clock ticks down, one thing is clear: the only side that should be “fishing” is the one trying to pull Bangladesh’s team out of these troubled waters.
With their third SA20 title in four years—including a dramatic last-over heist against Pretoria Capitals—Sunrisers…
In a dramatic SA20 final at Newlands, Sunrisers Eastern Cape claimed their third consecutive title…
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest T20I half-century by an…
In a dramatic but definitive turn, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially withdrawn from the…
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has laid down strict conditions for Shakib Al Hasan’s potential return…
In a major blow to what promised to be a blockbuster Ranji Trophy encounter, India…