itstargetnews
Congress MP Sashi Tharoor, who is known for his love for cricket, is completely ashamed of the entire controversial episode involving Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and the International Cricket Federation ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
In strong words, Tharoor said that politicization of sports is not healthy for the sport, especially cricket, as there are countless people who just want to enjoy the game on the field. The MP not only criticized Bangladesh and Pakistan but also believed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made a wrong decision by banning Mustafizur Rahman from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).
Tharoor accuses BCCI ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
Behind the current controversial form, Bangladesh players’ snub in IPL 2026 played a major role. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought the seamer for a huge salary in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. As soon as the Kolkata-based franchise included the Bangladesh pacer in its squad, some groups started pressuring the BCCI to respond on the matter as tensions between India and Bangladesh once again heightened.
Your daily dose of cricket!
The Indian cricket governing body directed KKR to release Rahman from the team due to geopolitical tensions. KKR did so on the orders of BCCI. Tharoor said BCCI took wrong action against Mustafizur Rahman.
“Frankly speaking, it is quite shameful that both parties are politicizing sports in this way. I think Mustafizul (Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman) should not have been denied a contract to play in Kolkata. This is most unfortunate,” Tharoor told reporters while talking to reporters.
Now, Pakistan joins the ranks for T20 World Cup 2026
After Rahman’s withdrawal from IPL 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board claimed that their players may face major issues related to safety and security as they are scheduled to play in Kolkata and Mumbai. Bangladesh requested that the match be moved from India to Sri Lanka. Although the ICC rejected their request and named Bangladesh as Scotland.
Bangladesh’s expulsion from the 2026 T20 World Cup has taken the dispute to a new stage, with Pakistan also threatening a boycott. On Sunday, the Pakistan government announced that their national team would not take part in the match against India on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Tharoor said politics should not be involved in cricket. ICC and cricket matches can be the perfect stage to bring everyone together.
Shashi Tharoor pleads for ‘cancellation’
Shashi Tharoor further said: “I think Bangladesh’s response is an overreaction but it is also a reflection of overreaction. Pakistan is trying to show its solidarity with Bangladesh. The whole thing is getting out of control. I think we do need to realize that sports, especially a sport like cricket, means a lot to all and should be a means of bringing us together, at least on the field, rather than allowing this to continue.”
“Honestly, I think this is a wake-up call for all parties involved to reach out to each other in emergencies; the ICC can be that platform – just to say, ‘Let’s stop this nonsense… You can’t go on like this forever,'” he concluded.
