The former ICC Head of Communications, Sami-ul-Hasan Burney, criticised the BCCI's handling of Mustafizur Rahman's exit from the IPL. He suggested that
the Indian Board could have avoided the current T20 World Cup turmoil by being more discreet.
Rahman's release from Kolkata Knight Riders led to Bangladesh's withdrawal from the event starting February 7 due to security concerns.
Burney, who also served as Media Director for the Pakistan Cricket Board, noted that the BCCI could have managed Rahman's exit privately. "I mean, things could have been easily avoided if the cricket administrators or people responsible for the game had been a little bit more careful and avoided public statements, like a Bangladesh player Mustafizur has to be removed from the franchise," he stated.
Implications of Public Announcements
Burney explained that public announcements can lead to unintended consequences. He mentioned that the January 3 announcement about Rahman became a catalyst for subsequent events. "Sometimes you make an error of judgment and make a statement which has implications," he elaborated.
Pakistan has decided to forfeit their match against India on February 15, following government instructions. Burney offered insights into PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi's perspective, who is also Pakistan's Interior Minister. Naqvi perceives ICC's refusal to change Bangladesh's venues as inconsistent with past decisions.
Burney recalled an incident in November 2024 when ICC informed PCB about India's refusal to send their team to Pakistan. Naqvi believes similar principles were not applied in Bangladesh's case, leading to accusations of double standards. "I think that is what is upsetting Mr. Naqvi and the PCB," Burney said.
Financial Repercussions and Strategic Decisions
The ICC has hinted at potential penalties for PCB, including financial losses. Burney believes Pakistan considered these implications before making their decision. "I mean, these decisions are not easy decisions to make," he remarked, suggesting extensive consultations took place before reaching a conclusion.
Pakistan faces significant financial implications from forfeiting matches against India. The cost of one match is estimated at USD 250 million, impacting broadcasters and other stakeholders. Despite this, Burney highlighted Pakistan's resilience in surviving without bilateral series against India for two decades.
Pakistan has not hosted India for a bilateral series in 20 years but managed tours to India in 2007 and 2012-13 for limited-overs cricket. They played offshore from 2009 to 2019 but still won major tournaments like the T20 World Cup in 2009 and Champions Trophy in 2017.
Burney concluded that while financial challenges exist, Pakistan Cricket Board can endure them as they have done over the past two decades without playing India bilaterally.
With inputs from PTI
