Dhaka — Syed Ashraful Haque, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and current CEO of the Asian Cricket Council, pointed the finger at Mohsin Naqvi for Bangladesh’s exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup. Haque said Naqvi actively discouraged Bangladesh from traveling to India, where the tournament will take place.

Bangladesh officials had cited security risks as their reason for declining to participate. The International Cricket Council repeatedly assured them of strong safety measures. Those overtures fell flat. Bangladesh stuck to its position and got dropped from the event.

The dispute traces back to tensions involving Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The Board of Control for Cricket in India directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Rahman from their Indian Premier League squad. That move, according to sources familiar with the discussions, heightened fears among Bangladeshi players and officials about playing in India.

After Bangladesh’s ouster, Pakistan stood alone among full ICC members in offering public support. The Pakistan Cricket Board initially threatened to boycott its own match against India in the tournament. They reversed course shortly after, opting to compete as scheduled.

Haque’s accusation marks a sharp escalation in the behind-the-scenes wrangling over the 2026 event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. ‘Mohsin Naqvi persuaded us not to go,’ Haque stated in comments reported widely in cricket circles. He made the remarks during a recent interview, framing Naqvi’s influence as a key factor in Bangladesh’s decision-making.

Neither the PCB nor Naqvi has responded publicly to the allegation as of Wednesday. ICC officials have stayed silent on the specifics of Bangladesh’s removal. The council confirmed the decision last month, citing the board’s failure to commit to the travel requirements.

Pakistan and Bangladesh share a history of political friction that often spills into cricket. Past tours have been canceled over diplomatic rows. This latest episode adds fuel to those tensions ahead of the World Cup, scheduled for February and March 2026 across 10 venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh cricket now grapples with the fallout. The team misses a chance to compete in a major ICC event. Fans expressed frustration online, with many questioning the security rationale given the ICC’s guarantees. Haque, who served as BCB general secretary from 2018 to 2022, brings credibility to his claim through his insider perspective.

The Asian Cricket Council, under Haque’s leadership, oversees regional tournaments that could provide Bangladesh some redemption. Still, the World Cup snub stings. Pakistan’s brief boycott threat drew mockery from Indian media and fans, who highlighted the quick reversal.

Cricket’s global body faces pressure to clarify hybrid models for future events. India hosted the 2023 ODI World Cup with a hybrid setup for Pakistan matches in Sri Lanka. No such accommodation emerged for T20 2026. Officials said the tournament format demands full participation from all qualified teams.

As preparations ramp up, Haque’s bombshell shifts focus from on-field action to boardroom intrigue. Bangladesh players like Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das will watch from afar. Naqvi, a former Punjab chief minister appointed PCB head last year, oversees Pakistan’s campaign amid its own challenges.