Amateur Iceland refuses ICC’s unrealistic last-minute World Cup call

ISLAMABAD: The Icelandic Cricket Association has announced that it will not be able to step in if Pakistan withdraws from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India, citing the “impossible” timeline for professional preparation.

The decision highlights the growing operational and governance pressures on the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the body replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to tour India due to security concerns. Bangladesh had requested that their matches be relocated to co-host Sri Lanka, a request the ICC rejected.

“We are not like Scotland, able to turn up on a whim with no kit sponsor,” the cricket board said in a statement posted on X. “It is impossible for our squad to prepare in the professional manner necessary.”

The board, speaking with gentle tongue-in-cheek humor, pointed out that its players come “from all walks of life” and cannot simply drop their jobs to compete.

“Our captain, a professional baker, needs to attend his oven; our ship captain needs to steer his vessel; and our bankers need to go bankrupt (again),” the statement read.

Acknowledging the amateur reality of cricket in Iceland, the cricket board added that the development could be “Uganda's gain,” referring to the African nation’s bold kit. “Their kits cannot be missed unless you have epilepsy, in which case they are probably best avoided,” the board quipped.

Cricket Uganda responded with readiness and good humor, confirming that its squad is “packed and padded” should a World Cup spot open.

“Passports warm (not ice). No bakers leaving ovens or ships U-turning,” the Ugandan board said, emphasizing that it will bring the “bold kit” if called upon.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi on whether the country would participate in the event. Naqvi told the premier that a decision would be announced either today (Friday) or next week, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s World Cup plans.

Cricket fans on social media and analysts had a field day, dissecting official board statements while gently roasting the ICC’s rigid scheduling. Many questioned whether the ICC realistically expects smaller boards to perform miracles on impossibly short notice.