In a fiery rebuttal that harks back to the dramatic 2003 World Cup, former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has taken aim at England’s ex-captain Nasser Hussain amid the brewing controversy surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The spat ignited after Hussain criticized the ICC’s handling of Pakistan’s initial threat to boycott matches against India in the group stage, following Bangladesh’s withdrawal. He accused the BCCI of wielding undue influence, demanding equal treatment for all teams.
Srikkanth, undeterred, fired back on his YouTube channel. ‘Back in 2003, Hussain was England’s skipper,’ he reminded viewers. ‘They refused to travel to Zimbabwe and Kenya citing security fears, got booted out of the tournament, and Kenya advanced to the quarterfinals. England made their call then—why question others now? You can’t have one rule for you and another for us.’
He underscored India’s pivotal role in global cricket, noting that a massive chunk of ICC revenue stems from Indian audiences. ‘Influence shifts with eras,’ Srikkanth asserted. ‘England dominated once; now it’s India’s turn.’
Welcoming Pakistan’s eventual decision to play, facilitated by their government’s U-turn, Srikkanth hailed it as a boon for world cricket. ‘India-Pakistan clashes aren’t just games—they stir emotions in millions,’ he said. ‘Boycotting would hurt Pakistan most, isolating them further. Sport must rise above politics.’
This episode highlights ongoing tensions in international cricket, where national interests often collide with the spirit of the game. As preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup gear up, stakeholders will watch closely for fair play.