Kris Srikkanth hits back at Nasser Hussain over India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup row: 'He did the same in 2003'

Kris Srikkanth pointed out that Nasser Hussain did the same in the 2003 World Cup, and England pulled out of the tournament.

Published on: Feb 12, 2026, 07:33:10 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Kris Srikkanth was left fuming at Nasser Hussain after the former England captain's comments over Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2026 controversy. After Bangladesh pulled out of the tournament, Pakistan announced it would boycott the group-stage match against India. Meanwhile, Hussain also made controversial remarks, stating that the ICC was controlled by the BCCI and calling for equal treatment.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth pointed out that Nasser did the same in the 2003 World Cup, and England pulled out of the tournament after refusing to travel to Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Also Read: ‘Sanju Samson hasn’t done anything’: Srikkanth proposes out-of-the-box fix for Abhishek Sharma absence in Namibia clash

"He was the captain in 2003 World Cup when England refused to go to Zimbabwe and Kenya. Why does he want to talk now? Last moment even Australia agreed. England were kicked out and that's how Kenya came to the quarterfinals. You have one rule, we have one rule. That time England was ruling," he said.

"That time they were shouting. It's not fair. If England or any other team do it, it is okay. No one wants to do arm-twisting. End of the day, ICC's big revenue is from Indian fans across the globe, so India has a little bit of an edge. It happens in phases."

Since then, the Pakistan government has changed its stance and will now face India after the ICC sent a delegation to resolve the issue.

"I am happy that Pakistan has agreed to play and the match is happening. It is very important. It is very crucial for world cricket. Don't go anywhere else, just from the subcontinent population, you will get so much viewership," Srikkanth said.

"Pakistan would be the biggest loser if they did not play. Even viewers and fans, how many of them would have gotten tickets. And even the hosting nation. End of the day everyone would ignore Pakistan. Tomorrow, if India have a directive to England or Australia not to play Pakistan, even that can happen," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.