Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has launched a scathing attack on the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of a total administrative failure regarding its recent handling of Bangladesh.
While the high-stakes T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India is now confirmed for Sunday, February 15, in Colombo, Hafeez argued that the ICC only reached a resolution through a "bargain" with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Speaking on the Game on Hai program, Hafeez questioned the lack of transparency behind the ICC's recent concessions. Following a boycott threat from Pakistan—in solidarity with Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament—the ICC announced that Bangladesh would face no penalties and will be awarded hosting rights for an additional global tournament before 2031.
"If compensation is being given, it must be based on a mistake. So why hasn't that mistake been admitted?" Hafeez asked. "The ICC claims they are protecting the 'integrity of the sport,' but where was this spirit when the situation was escalating? Millions of fans in Bangladesh and Pakistan were hurt by these politics."
The comments come shortly after ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta expressed regret over Bangladesh's absence from the 2026 T20 World Cup, which stemmed from security concerns and the ICC's refusal to relocate matches.
Gupta stated that Bangladesh remains a "priority cricket ecosystem" and reaffirmed the ICC's commitment to the nation’s long-term growth. However, Hafeez insisted that the individual or administrative body responsible for the initial deadlock must be identified to prevent a repeat of such "short-term disruptions."
Despite his criticism of the administration, Hafeez welcomed the news that the India-Pakistan rivalry would continue on the field, expressing hope that such matches become a routine occurrence free from political interference.
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