Amid ongoing ICC-Bangladesh conflict, Danish Kaneria’s gives a brutal reality check for THESE countries ahead of T20 World Cup, names are…
If you thought the T20 World Cup was teetering on the edge of a crisis, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has a very different take. In a recent chat with IANS, the veteran leg-spinner didn’t pull any punches, essentially telling Bangladesh and Pakistan that the cricketing world won’t stop spinning if they decide to stay home.
With Bangladesh digging their heels in over security concerns and Pakistan reportedly considering a solidarity boycott, the tournament’s lineup is looking a bit shaky. But Kaneria? He’s not losing any sleep over it.
‘Hardly Anything Will Change’
Kaneria’s message was loud and clear: nobody is indispensable. He argued that the ICC and BCCI are far too big to be rattled by a boycott, especially when there are hungry teams waiting in the wings.
“Hardly anything will change if Bangladesh chooses not to play,” Kaneria told IANS. “Even if Pakistan is considering a boycott, they can do so as well, the World Cup will go on. There are far better teams than them now.”
It’s a brutal assessment, but he didn’t stop there. He even pointed out exactly who would benefit from the empty slots. According to Kaneria, the tournament might actually gain some fresh energy if the traditional powers step out. Scotland is the name at the top of the list to replace Bangladesh, Namibia, who have been giant-killers in recent years, could easily step in for Pakistan.
Geopolitics vs The Game
The tension stems from Bangladesh’s refusal to play their matches in India, citing a “deteriorating relationship” and security fears. They’ve pushed for a venue change to Sri Lanka, but the ICC has already shut that door, maintaining that India is perfectly safe for all participants.
Kaneria feels the boycott talk is more about optics than actual danger. He pointed out that while the BCB and PCB might feel they’re making a stand, the only ones truly losing out would be the players and the fans. To him, the “sanctity” of a mega-event like the World Cup shouldn’t be held hostage by last-minute demands.
The Bottom Line
Kaneria’s stance is a sobering reminder of the current cricket landscape. In an era where commercial interests and tournament integrity often outweigh individual board grievances, a boycott might not be the power move it once was.
As the February 7 start date looms, the ball is firmly in Dhaka and Islamabad’s court. But if they don’t show up, don’t expect the ICC to come begging, they’ve already got Scotland and Namibia on speed dial.