Jason Gillespie Deletes Social Media Post Questioning ICC's Stance on Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Withdrawal
Former Australian fast bowler and current coach Jason Gillespie has reportedly deleted a tweet from his social media account where he openly questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its decision-making process in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2026. The post, which has since been removed, specifically addressed the cricket governing body's handling of Bangladesh's situation compared to past instances involving India and Pakistan.
Gillespie's Deleted Query and Subsequent Justification
In the now-deleted tweet, Gillespie wrote, "Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India? From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan. Can someone make this make sense?!?!" This pointed remark highlighted what he perceived as a double standard in ICC's policies.
After a user who primarily posts about Pakistan cricket shared a screenshot of the deleted message on the platform formerly known as Twitter, Gillespie responded to justify his action. "Because I got abused for asking a simple question. That’s why," the former Pakistan national team coach explained, indicating that the backlash from online users prompted the deletion.
Social Media Reactions and Broader Context
The incident sparked varied reactions from cricket fans and observers on social media:
- One supporter encouraged Gillespie, writing, "Don’t worry. We are all with you and here to support you. Be brave, just as you were on the field. Stay blessed."
- Another user commented, "Coz he got unreasonable abuse from the multitude of utter idiots who reside on this medium. He is more qualified than most to call out the absolute hypocrisy and double standards of the India-centric ICC."
- A contrasting viewpoint stated, "Because you are asking such a nonsense question, India already informed ICC about not playing matches in Pakistan because of the political tensions and obviously the safety of the cricketers. Bangladesh informed the ICC 1 month before the tournament was scheduled."
- Some interpreted the deletion as censorship, with one remarking simply, "Got silenced."
It is important to note that this report is based on user-generated content from social media platforms and has not been independently verified by editorial teams.
Understanding Bangladesh's Absence from T20 World Cup 2026
Bangladesh will not participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 after refusing to travel to India for its scheduled matches. This decision was made jointly by the Bangladesh government and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), citing security concerns and strained diplomatic relations with India as primary reasons.
The BCB requested the ICC, under the leadership of Chairman Jay Shah, to either relocate their matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka or alter their group assignments. However, the ICC maintained the original schedule, supported by independent security assessments that found no credible threats to players or officials in India.
As the tournament approached, the ICC imposed a strict 24-hour deadline for Bangladesh to confirm participation. With the Bangladesh government declining to grant travel clearance, the ICC officially removed the team from the competition. Scotland, as the next highest-ranked team, has been named as Bangladesh's replacement, and the BCB may face financial penalties as a consequence.
Historical Precedent: India's Stance on Playing in Pakistan
Gillespie's deleted tweet referenced a previous instance where India opted not to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy due to security concerns. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this decision, which was backed by the Indian government's refusal to provide travel clearance.
In response, the ICC approved a hybrid model for the tournament, allowing India to play all its matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. This arrangement involved shifting India's group matches and the final out of Pakistan, with the Men in Blue ultimately winning the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai.
India's longstanding policy of avoiding cricket tours to Pakistan is rooted in historical violence and terrorism concerns, whereas Bangladesh does not maintain a similar official policy against India, making the current situation distinct in diplomatic terms.
The episode involving Jason Gillespie's tweet deletion underscores ongoing debates about consistency, transparency, and geopolitical influences in international cricket governance, particularly as major tournaments like the T20 World Cup approach.
