"ICC is basically BCCI’s Dubai office"

Even before the start of the T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council, ICC, has become embroiled in a major controversy. Citing security concerns, Bangladesh refused to travel to India, after which the ICC decided to exclude Bangladesh from the World Cup. Scotland, who finished fourth in the European qualifiers, have been included in their place.

The decision has triggered a strong reaction across the cricketing world. Terming the move “double standards”, the Pakistan Cricket Board, PCB, has hinted at boycotting the World Cup. Many believe the decision was primarily influenced by the Indian cricket board, BCCI.

The exclusion of Bangladesh has put the ICC in an awkward position. PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said a decision on whether Pakistan will take part in the tournament could come by Friday, or at the latest by next Monday.

As a result, questions have now arisen over the future of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7.

Amid this crisis, senior Indian sports journalist Sharda Ugra has launched a scathing critique of the roles played by the ICC and the BCCI. She believes the crisis has largely been driven by the BCCI’s influence and arrogance. In an interview, Ugra said, “The ICC is essentially nothing more than the BCCI’s Dubai office.”

In an interview with The Wire, Sharda Ugra described the ICC’s decision regarding Bangladesh as being directly influenced by India. Responding to a question from interviewer Karan Thapar, she said, “Once a Bangladeshi cricketer, Mustafizur Rahman, is singled out and the entire team then says they will not travel to play, the situation can no longer be kept under control.”

Although she said she was not certain whether there was a direct directive from the Indian government, Ugra added, “I can say with full confidence that India has played a major role behind this crisis. In particular, the BCCI’s influence, its dominance within the ICC, and the near-submissive behaviour of other countries represented on the ICC board have created this situation.”

Ugra also identified India’s enormous financial power in world cricket as a key factor behind the crisis. In her words, “The economic strength of Indian cricket has pushed the ICC into this position. There is a clear disparity here—when Bangladesh raises objections to playing in India, it is not taken seriously. Instead, it is said to fall within ICC regulations. But this argument is extremely weak and unsustainable.”

Criticising the ICC’s decision-making process in strong terms, Ugra said, “It is now an open secret in the cricketing world that the ICC operates exactly as the BCCI wants. The ICC executive board reacts in much the same way. That is why I am not surprised by this decision at all.”