Senior Indian sports journalist Sharda Ugra has thrashed the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying that the global cricketing body no longer functioned independently and instead operated under India’s control.

 

“The ICC is nothing more than the BCCI’s Dubai office,” Ugra said during an interview as she criticised the handling of the ongoing T20 World Cup controversy involving Bangladesh’s exit over security concerns in India.

 

She also argued that poor management and lack of seriousness had damaged the credibility of the sport.

 

“I can say with full confidence that India has played a major role behind this crisis […] in particular, the BCCI’s influence, its dominance within the ICC and the near-submissive behaviour of other countries represented on the ICC board have created this situation.”

 

Ugra said Bangladesh’s exclusion was a clear example of double standards, adding that the ICC failed to take Bangladesh’s concerns seriously.

 

“There is a clear disparity here. When Bangladesh raises objections to playing in India, it is not taken seriously and is instead brushed aside under ICC regulations. This argument is extremely weak and unsustainable,” she said.

 

Ugra added that the financial strength of Indian cricket has pushed the ICC into a compromised position. “It is now an open secret in the cricketing world that the ICC operates exactly as the BCCI wants. The ICC executive board reacts in much the same way. That is why I am not surprised by this decision at all.”

 

She also warned that Pakistan’s possible withdrawal from the World Cup could deal a major financial blow to the ICC, as Pak-India matches generate the highest revenue for the tournament.

 

The interview comes as Pakistan openly backs Bangladesh’s position. Reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is weighing multiple protest options, including a possible boycott of its February 15 match against India in Colombo.

 

The possibility emerged after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi delayed a final decision on Pakistan’s participation following a meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday. 

 

A decision was expected after the meeting, but Naqvi announced on X that the final decision would be made either on Friday or next Monday.