Pakistan cricket team (AP Photo)

Ex-India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup and Pakistan’s public backing of the country. The Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier suggested that its own participation in the tournament would be guided by government advice, a statement that some interpreted as a hint Pakistan might pull out in solidarity with Bangladesh. Harbhajan was critical of Pakistan’s stance, calling it an unnecessary attempt to frame the situation as a “2 vs 1” battle. He questioned both the intent and timing of the PCB’s move, noting that Pakistan already had matches scheduled in Sri Lanka and that their intervention was not needed. According to him, it is Bangladesh and its players who are bearing the real cost of the dispute.

“Pakistan was fishing in muddy waters and trying the game of 2 vs 1. (Pakistan and Bangladesh against India),” Harbhajan told PTI. “They already are playing in Sri Lanka, this wasn’t their matter. Why interfere where you are needed? In the end, it is Bangladesh cricket team and its players who are losing. The players missing out on a World Cup participation is massive.” The ICC confirmed on Saturday that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the tournament, calling it a “difficult decision.” Officials explained that there was no feasible way to accommodate the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka with the World Cup just around the corner. Harbhajan also criticised the BCB, suggesting that the board let ego guide its decisions rather than seeking a resolution. “BCB should have kept channels open for discussion with ICC,” he said. “They should have kept the channels open for discussion with the ICC before straightaway saying ‘no’ to coming to India.” He added that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had no right to issue a pull-out threat on Saturday, calling it unnecessary. From a cricketing perspective, Harbhajan pointed out that Bangladesh could have performed well on Indian pitches, particularly with the quality of spinners in their squad. “Had the T20 World Cup been played in England or Australia, they didn’t even stand a chance, but here they could have actually made it to the second round and maybe cause a few upsets in the Super Eights. So it’s no one’s loss but Bangladesh’s,” he said.