New Delhi: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has come under heavy criticism from Indian fans on social media after claiming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) effectively controls the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Hussain also stated that Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India should be treated equally.
The whole fiasco started when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send their team to India for the T20 World Cup due to security concerns. Their decision came shortly after the BCCI forced Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its Indian Premier League (IPL) squad.
After the ICC removed Bangladesh, the Pakistan government announced that its team will play in the T20 World Cup, but will boycott the game against India. The ICC has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rethink their decision.
Hussain, however, was disappointed with the ICC. In a recent Sky Sports Podcast, where he was joined by former England captain Michael Atherton, Hussain said that it is “fairly depressing watching what has become of cricket. Not shaking hands, not lifting trophies. Cricket used to unite nations and countries. Now it’s pushing people apart.”
“If India, a month before a tournament, said ‘our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup’, would the ICC have been so firm and said, ‘You know the rules, bad luck, we’re knocking you out?’,” he said, adding that ICC should treat Bangladesh the same as they treat Pakistan and India.
But his remarks did not sit well with Indian fans, who have launched a fierce backlash against him.
“Nasser Hussain is a good example of the fact that even if you speak hypocritical nonsense in good English, you can make a thriving career in cricket punditry,” a user wrote on X.
Nasser Hussain is a good example of the fact that even if your speak hypocritical nonsense in good English, you can make a thriving career in cricket punditry.
— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) February 5, 2026
Another said, “Naseer Hussain must be banned from ICC as he is the one who is supporting Pakistan.”
naseer hussain must be banned from icc as he is the one who is supporting pakistan
— Amrit Isarka (@amrit_isarka) February 7, 2026
Indian cricket fans also reminded Hussain of the 20-year ban on South Africa.
“South Africa was suspended for nearly 20 years. England refused to travel to Zimbabwe during the 2003 World Cup under the same Naseer Hussain captaincy. Western nations have boycotted tours, events, and teams whenever it suited their moral or political positioning. But when India does it for genuine security reasons, suddenly it’s “politics”,” a tweet read.
Let’s address Naseer Hussain , Mark Butcher hypocrisy head-on.
Has Sri Lanka or any other Asian nation been given exclusive hosting rights for major ICC events in recent years? No.
Has any Western country ever voluntarily given up its hosting turn to “share” power with Asian… https://t.co/ebZYpd6RRk
— KrishnaKritics (@KrishnaTalks95) February 5, 2026
Some even highlighted how the Hussain-led side boycotted Zimbabwe in the World Cup due to political concerns in 2003.
“In the 2003 World Cup, England, led by Hussain, refused to play Zimbabwe. The reasons were not concrete security threats in the way India faces from Pakistan; they were moral and political objections to Robert Mugabe’s regime. Hussain supported that decision. He did not accuse the ECB of bullying a smaller board. He did not thunder about the ICC’s “consistency”. He did not complain that cricket was being politicised. In fact, he later said he was “proud” of the stance,” said an Indian cricket supporter in the comments of the YouTube video.
One of the users went over and beyond, calling Hussain a “born cheater.”
“#NasserHussain is a born cheater. Remember the match at Lord’s where he nicked the ball, didn’t walk, and then went on to score a century—even though India won. This is the same person who now tries to lecture India,” read a tweet.
#NasserHussain is a born cheater. Remember the match at Lord’s where he nicked the ball, didn’t walk, and then went on to score a century—even though India won. This is the same person who now tries to lecture India
— kishu sagar (@KishuSagar) February 5, 2026
The X user was talking about the famous 2002 NatWest Series final in 2002 in which the Sourav Ganguly-led side chased down a target of 326 courtesy Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif.
In the same podcast, Hussain further said that “India fans may say, ‘Cry more, we have the money!’ But with power comes responsibility. Constantly knocking Bangladesh or Pakistan diminishes their cricket. That’s why the great games between India and Pakistan or India and Bangladesh have become one-sided over time.”
The former England skipper also praised the Pakistan team and the Bangladesh Cricket Board for standing up for its players.
“I’m amazed at how well Pakistan have done and continue to do with everything that they are working against. And I actually quite like Bangladesh sticking to their guns, standing up for their players. I quite like Pakistan sticking up for Bangladesh as well. At some stage, someone should say, enough with this politics, can we just get back to playing cricket,” Hussain added.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are scheduled to face off on 15 February in Colombo. According to the latest updates, after the boycott, the ICC issued a warning to the PCB about “serious consequences,” prompting them to reconsider their stance.