Geopolitical tensions have once again disrupted cricket in the Indian sub-continent, with Bangladesh excluded from the T20 World Cup beginning February 7 after unresolved diplomatic and political differences, reshaping regional cricketing equations long dominated by the India-Pakistan rivalry.

For decades, political interference in sub-continent cricket centred largely on India and Pakistan. That framework has now shifted, with Bangladesh emerging as the latest casualty of deteriorating bilateral relations with India.

The situation briefly threatened to widen on Saturday when Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said his country’s participation in the tournament would depend on government advice, signalling a possible withdrawal in solidarity with Bangladesh. The threat dissipated on Sunday after Pakistan announced its 15-member squad for the event.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh criticised the move, saying Pakistan had no role in the matter. “Pakistan was fishing in muddy waters and trying the game of 2 vs 1. (Pakistan and Bangladesh against India),” Harbhajan asserted.

“They already are playing in Sri Lanka, this wasn’t their matter. Why interfere where you are needed? In the end, it is Bangladesh cricket team and its players who are losing. The players missing out on a World Cup participation is massive,” he added.

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Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exit from Dhaka and her subsequent move to India. The period that followed saw a surge in anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh and multiple killings of Bangladeshi Hindus.

Cricketing fallout soon followed. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League, a move perceived in Dhaka as retaliatory. The Bangladesh Cricket Board sought to shift its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns for players travelling to India, a proposal rejected by the International Cricket Council.

Harbhajan said the situation escalated because the BCB adopted a confrontational approach. “They should have kept the channels open for discussion with the ICC before straightaway saying ‘no’ to coming to India,” he said.

From a cricketing perspective, Harbhajan argued Bangladesh stood to lose the most. “Had the T20 World Cup been played in England or Australia, they didn’t even stand a chance but here they could have actually made it to second round and may be cause a few upsets in Super Eights. So it’s no one’s loss but Bangladesh’s.”

Unlike India and Pakistan, which operate under a formal neutral-venue framework for ICC events, Bangladesh lacks any such institutional protection. The immediate cost includes lost World Cup participation, revenue setbacks and reduced global exposure for its players.