Watch: ‘Indian Cricket Council’ — Saqlain Mushtaq slams ICC ahead of IND vs WI ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

The stage is set for a high-pressure encounter at Eden Gardens, where India will face the West Indies on Sunday. The IND vs WI clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage has effectively turned into a virtual quarter-final. The winning team will secure a place in the semi-finals, while the losing side will be eliminated from the competition.

Amid this crucial situation for India, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has sparked controversy with his remarks regarding the International Cricket Council (ICC).

During a discussion about India’s upcoming fixture against West Indies, Saqlain sarcastically referred to the ICC as the “Indian Cricket Council.” He further suggested that the pitch for the match could be prepared in a manner that favours the Indian team.

Watch the video here:

Saqlain began by appreciating India’s growth in modern T20 cricket. He said India now follows a more scientific system, with better planning, specialist support staff and strong power-hitting methods shaped by league cricket. According to him, Indian players clearly understand the demands of the format.

He also spoke positively about the West Indies, linking their current T20 success to a long-standing cricket culture. He said their attacking mindset is not new but part of their tradition, and that global league cricket keeps their players updated with modern trends while maintaining their natural strength.

Also read -Watch: Varun Chakravarthy dismisses Shai Hope for 32 in IND vs WI T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s

“ICC… Indian Cricket Council”: The Comment that drew attention

The discussion took a different turn when Saqlain moved to pitch preparation. “One thing is how the pitch is prepared now,” he said, before adding the remark that quickly caught attention: “ICC… Indian Cricket Council. ICC is not some other council.”

He made the statement in a sarcastic tone while talking about home familiarity and match conditions. He further added, “Let’s see what kind of pitch they prepare for this game,” suggesting that surface conditions could influence the result.

Saqlain underlined how important local knowledge can be in big tournaments. “Even in this, you can get a margin of 10 to 15 percent if the conditions suit your team,” he said.

In his closing point, Saqlain stressed that conditions often become the hidden factor in major matches. “Because when you know the conditions well, you can compete better,” he explained.

While he did not question India’s strength or dismiss West Indies’ power, Saqlain framed the contest around one key idea — that preparation and pitch conditions can quietly shape the battle before the first ball is bowled.