‘Enough of politics in cricket’, Nasser backs Bangladesh, Pakistan amid T20 World Cup row

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has come out strongly in support of Bangladesh and Pakistan amid the growing controversy surrounding the ongoing T20 World Cup, calling for an end to political interference in the game.

Speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast alongside fellow commentator Mike Atherton, Hussain praised Bangladesh for standing its ground and Pakistan for responding with what he termed a calculated show of solidarity.

“I liked that Bangladesh stood firm on its decision. They stood up for their player, Mustafizur. I liked Pakistan’s stance as well,” Hussain said.

According to the former England skipper, the crisis snowballed after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was excluded from the Indian Premier League. Hussain pointed to the moment when, amid rising political tensions, the BCCI allegedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Rahman from their squad.

“That’s where it all started,” he noted, suggesting the decision triggered a chain reaction that has now engulfed the World Cup.

Hussain also described Pakistan’s subsequent refusal to play India as a deliberate financial pressure tactic. With the India-Pakistan clash widely regarded as the most lucrative fixture in world cricket, he argued it was the only real leverage available.

“The only way to hit the ICC or even India is through the money and finance of the India-Pakistan match. It is the only way,” he said.

Raising questions over the ICC’s consistency, Hussain posed a pointed hypothetical scenario. He asked whether the governing body would show the same rigidity if the Indian government were to block its team from travelling just weeks before a major tournament.

“Would the ICC still say, ‘You know the rules, bad luck, we are dropping you’?” he asked, hinting at a possible double standard.

Hussain further expressed disappointment over how politics has begun to affect player conduct on the field, referencing incidents of refused handshakes and rejected trophies as “depressing”.

Warning that repeatedly cornering nations like Bangladesh and Pakistan could damage the global game, he urged the ICC to treat all member countries equally – regardless of their financial or commercial power.

“Otherwise,” he cautioned, “world cricket will be poorer for it.”