BCCI's ego behind T20 World Cup uncertainty, says Sharda Ugra

Veteran sports journalist Sharda Ugra has blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI’s) “ego” for the growing crisis surrounding the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on 7 February.

In an interview with 'The Wire', Ugra said the International Cricket Council no longer functions as an independent body, remarking that it has effectively become “the Dubai office of the BCCI”. She argued that the imbalance of power within world cricket has undermined the ICC’s credibility and ability to resolve disputes.

The uncertainty over the tournament stems from Pakistan’s threat to boycott the event. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said his country will take a final decision on participation either on Friday or as late as Monday, raising concerns over last-minute disruption.

Ugra warned that the situation has damaged the ICC’s standing and highlighted deeper governance issues within international cricket, with the T20 World Cup now facing avoidable uncertainty just days before its scheduled start.