Mustafizur Rahman (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Former ICC director of communications Sami-ul-Hasan Burney has slammed the BCCI’s handling of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the IPL, saying the Indian board could have prevented the current T20 World Cup upheaval by taking a more measured approach.Rahman’s release from his contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders set off a chain reaction that eventually led to Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament starting on 7 February after he cited “security concerns” about traveling to India. In a show of solidarity, Pakistan has since decided to cancel its February 15 clash with India based on government directives.
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Burney, who later served as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s media director after leaving the ICC, felt that the situation had escalated unnecessarily due to the public communication surrounding Rahman’s dismissal.“I mean things could have been easily avoided if the cricket administrators or the people in charge of the game were a little more careful and avoided making public statements like the Bangladeshi player (Mustafizur) has to be removed from the franchise,” Sami told PTI.“I mean they (BCCI) didn’t have to say that publicly. They could have easily told the franchise (KKR) privately to release the player and nobody would know what happened and life would go on.“Sometimes you make an error in judgment and make a statement that has consequences. So the January 3 announcement became the trigger,” he explained.Burney, a former journalist with The Dawn, spent more than a decade at the ICC’s Dubai headquarters before joining the PCB last year. He also shed light on the thinking of PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister.Burney said Naqvi considered the ICC’s refusal to move Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka a case of “wicket shifting”.“I go back to November 2024 when I was a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board and I was with Mr. Mohsin Naqvi when the email came in which the ICC said that the BCCI had informed them that the Government of India had refused permission to send their team to Pakistan.“Mr Naqvi believes that when a similar situation (with regard to Bangladesh) arose in January, the same principles were not applied and that is where he is referring to the double standard.“I think that’s what upsets Mr. Naqvi and the PCB, because they think the barriers are changing or moving.On whether Bangladesh’s dispute with India was a Pakistan battle, Burney said: “We can agree with that, we can disagree with that decision, we can argue… but when the government makes a decision, it’s looking at something bigger than what you and I see.”While the ICC hinted at possible sanctions, including heavy financial penalties, Burney insisted that Pakistan would consider all consequences.“I mean, these decisions aren’t easy. They had to talk to a lot of people, seek advice from experts, look at the legal side.”“I’m sure there would have been a massive exercise before the Pakistan government would have taken that decision. As for the penalties or losses you’re talking about, that one match is worth $250 million (not including the loss of the broadcaster).“Pakistan’s annual revenue is $35.5 million, so there is a big, big difference,” he said.He added that Pakistan had previously overcome financial setbacks from not playing India bilaterally.“…unlike other countries, Pakistan have not hosted India in a bilateral series for 20 years, though they toured India twice for white-ball cricket in 2007 and then 2012-13.“They didn’t play, I mean, they played off-shore for 10 years, 2009 to 2019 not at home but in the Middle East or the United Arab Emirates, and yet they managed to win two tournaments, the T20 World Cup in 2009 and the Champions Trophy in 2017,” he said.“So yes, there will be financial implications, but if the Pakistan Cricket Board can survive those 20 years without playing India, they will last.
