T20 World Cup: Shahid Afridi Backs Bangladesh Decision Not to Tour India

Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has expressed support for Bangladesh’s decision not to send its national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking on the issue, Afridi said that given the current situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s stance is understandable and carries valid reasoning.

Afridi stated that the International Cricket Council should act as a truly global governing body and not allow circumstances to be influenced by any single country. He emphasized that the ICC must consider relocating Bangladesh’s matches to an alternative venue to ensure fairness and comfort for all participating teams.

Commenting on the broader situation, Afridi said that ICC Chairman Jay Shah is committed to the development of cricket worldwide, but the lack of consensus and support has made the situation more complicated. He added that the ICC now needs to take a clear and decisive position on the matter to avoid further uncertainty.

The remarks come after Bangladesh announced that it would not travel to India for the T20 World Cup following recent developments involving Bangladeshi players in league cricket. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally requested that all of its World Cup matches be moved to a different location, citing concerns related to player welfare and overall conditions.

So far, no official response has been issued by the ICC regarding Bangladesh’s request. It has also been noted that Pakistan will not travel to India for the World Cup and will instead play its matches in co-host Sri Lanka under an existing arrangement.

Afridi’s comments have added to the ongoing discussion around tournament logistics and governance, with many observers calling for timely and transparent decisions to ensure the smooth conduct of the global event.