Ugra says ICC has effectively become an extension of the BCCI’s Dubai office, acting according to the Indian board’s interests
NEW DEHLI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Jan 28th, 2026) Indian journalist Sharda Ugra has sharply criticized the board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup and Pakistan’s threat to boycott its match against India.
Ugra said the ICC has effectively become an extension of the BCCI’s Dubai office, acting according to the Indian board’s interests. She added that this influence was evident during the ICC Executive Board meeting, and the handling of the current World Cup situation has damaged the ICC’s credibility.
The journalist claimed the controversy began when Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL), describing it as a political decision influenced by India’s ruling government. She also questioned why the Indian team was prevented from shaking hands with Pakistani players—a matter that remains unresolved.
Ugra warned that Pakistan’s withdrawal from the tournament would cause significant financial and reputational damage to the ICC, highlighting that India-Pakistan matches generate massive revenue. She added that India’s growing influence in international cricket and over other boards contributed to the current crisis, noting that if the ICC had appointed a CEO from another country, the situation might have been handled differently.
She criticized the ICC for no longer being a serious sports body and said cricket, once a shared cultural sport, has become a platform for political disputes. She also noted that Bangladesh did not receive the same facilities as India due to its limited influence.
Ugra added that the cricket boards of England and Australia have acted as facilitators for the BCCI, and that honoring Bangladesh’s demands would have hurt India’s pride.
