ISLAMABAD: Former Australia all-rounder and Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie deleted a social media post on X after facing abuse for questioning the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to replace Bangladesh at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Gillespie had asked why Bangladesh were not allowed to play their matches outside India, as had been permitted in previous ICC tournaments. In his now-deleted post, he wrote: “Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?”

Drawing comparisons with past ICC events, Gillespie pointed to what he described as inconsistency in the governing body’s approach.

“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?”

Following the deletion, several fans tagged Gillespie for clarification. He responded that he removed the post due to abuse. “Because I got abused for asking a simple question, that’s why,” he wrote.

The ICC announced on Jan. 24 that Scotland would replace Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka from Feb. 7 to March 8.

The governing body said the decision followed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to move its matches from India to Sri Lanka, which was denied, citing the absence of any credible or verifiable security threat.

Scotland will open their campaign against the West Indies on Feb. 7 in Kolkata, face Italy on February 9, and England on Feb. 14. Their final group match against Nepal is scheduled in Mumbai on Feb. 17.

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Former Australia great Gillespie faces backlash over Bangladesh T20 World Cup exclusion