Taking to social media platform X, Yousuf highlighted Bangladesh’s massive audience impact, writing:
“The combined cricket viewership of New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is broadly equivalent to the viewership Bangladesh generates on its own.”
He further noted that the 10 nations together account for “178 million” viewers, while Bangladesh alone contributes “176 million”.
Questioning the ICC’s stance, Yousuf added: “In a sport driven by global audiences, sidelining Bangladesh’s legitimate security concerns raises serious questions about consistency and governance. When accommodation becomes selective, fairness disappears. Cricket cannot be administered by influence -- only by principle.”
The ICC last Saturday confirmed Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament after rejecting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to shift matches outside India, citing logistical difficulties so close to the event.
The governing body said its decision followed assessments that found no “credible or verifiable security threat” to the Bangladesh team in India.
