As the cricket world buzzes over the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup, an off-field debate has grabbed headlines.
Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has criticised former England captain Nasser Hussain for his comments on the recent India-Pakistan standoff. The controversy began after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament and Pakistan initially announced they would boycott their group-stage match against India. Around the same time, Nasser Hussain questioned the fairness of the situation and suggested that global cricket’s governing body should treat all the teams equally.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, K Srikkanth pointed out that Nasser Hussain had faced a similar scenario during the 2003 World Cup when England chose not to travel to Zimbabwe and Kenya due to political concerns. Srikkanth suggested that those who have been in comparable situations in the past should be cautious about criticising others now. He recalled that England’s withdrawal back then led to their exit from the tournament, which ultimately helped Kenya reach the quarterfinals. His broader point was that rules should apply consistently to all the teams, regardless of their stature or influence.
Srikkanth also addressed the larger issue of power dynamics in world cricket. He acknowledged that India holds significant influence, largely because of its massive global fan base and the revenue it generates. According to him, this financial weight naturally gives India a stronger voice but it should not be seen as unfair pressure.
The situation has since improved. The Pakistan government reversed its decision, confirming that the team will play against India after the ICC sent a delegation to help resolve the matter.
Srikkanth welcomed the development, emphasising that an India-Pakistan match is vital for world cricket. He noted that the viewership from the subcontinent alone makes it one of the biggest events in the sport. He also suggested that choosing not to play would have hurt Pakistan the most, from fans and ticket holders to the tournament’s overall success.
We certainly agree with Srikkanth, what about you?
