Aakash Chopra dismantles Pakistan over ‘ICC favouring BCCI’ allegations

Aakash Chopra slams Pakistan: The 2026 T20 World Cup group stages are over, and the Super 8 stages will start on Saturday, with New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka in the first game of the second round. Ahead of the Super 8 stages, there has been a controversy arising that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been favouring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

There have been talks going on that India has been seeded in an easier group. However, there has been pre-seeding of the groups as per the standings. India has a group that comprises South Africa, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. However, in the other group, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand have been seeded.

Zimbabwe replace Australia in the knockout stages

Primarily, it was Australia that was supposed to be in India’s group, but they were knocked out by Zimbabwe, who topped their group and came to this group. Talking about the ongoing rumours, former India opener Aakash Chopra has shared his views on his social media account.

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There have been disparities in the T20 World Super 8 grouping resulting from the major event being held in two countries: India and Sri Lanka. Along with that, Pakistan will not go to India for any of its matches, complicating the scheduling process.

Aakash Chopra dismisses 'easy group' rumours

Aakash Chopra said, "This tournament is happening in two countries. So, India have to play all their matches in India, and Sri Lanka and Pakistan have to play all their matches in Sri Lanka. So, it is mandatory to keep Sri Lanka and Pakistan in one group, and India must be in a different group. Nahi toh kaam kaise chalega?"

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A post shared by Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)

"Many people are saying that all of this is favoring BCCI, and is happening to favor BCCI only. To those people, I want to ask something, Dimaag khaali hai kya yaar? (Is your brain empty?) Why would we want to keep South Africa and West Indies in our group? How does it help us anyway which way?"

Aakash Chopra further added, "That Australia would lose, who knew? And Zimbabwe topped the group. So, don't consider it as the weaker group. Do some research at least. Faltu ki baatey mat kiya karo, sobha nahi deta (Don't talk rubbish, it does not suit you)."

Does India have an unfair advantage?

Aakash Chopra also gave the example of the previous T20 World Cup editions, where all group-stage toppers were clubbed together in the Super 8. Aakash Chopra finally concluded saying, "People are saying that how can you do this and all, what is this pre-seeding here, there is no advantage of topping the group.

"But we have to understand that this is not happening for the first time. This happened in 2007, 2009, 2010, and even in 2012. In 2012, the exact same scenario as now unfolded where the table toppers were together in one group."

Sri Lanka will be facing England in the first game of the double Super 8 game header on Sunday. In the evening, India will be facing South Africa in the first game of Group 1. The stage is set for some serious battle now as the tournament draws towards the business end.

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