NEW DELHI: Former England captain Nasser Hussain did not mince his words while criticising the International Cricket Council (ICC), calling out the world body for its double standards in its handling of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Speaking on the Sky Sports Podcast alongside fellow former England captain Michael Atherton, Hussain accused the ICC of giving preferential treatment to certain boards, particularly India.

"If India, a month before a tournament, said 'our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup', would the ICC have been so firm and said, 'You know the rules, bad luck, we're knocking you out?' Hussain said.

"The only question all sides ask for is consistency. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India must be treated the same. Yes, India fans may say, 'Cry more, we have the money!' But with power comes responsibility. Constantly knocking Bangladesh or Pakistan diminishes their cricket. That's why the great games between India and Pakistan or India and Bangladesh have become one-sided over time," he added.

Hussain lauded the Pakistan team and the Bangladesh Cricket Board for backing their players, warning that the game was in danger of undermining itself if such issues continued.

"I'm amazed at how well Pakistan have done and continue to do with everything that they are working against. And I actually quite like Bangladesh sticking to their guns, standing up for their players. I quite like Pakistan sticking up for Bangladesh as well. At some stage, someone should say, enough with this politics, can we just get back to playing cricket," Hussain further added.

Bangladesh's exit followed the BCB's decision not to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns that arose after the BCCI compelled Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad.

In the aftermath of the ICC's decision, the Pakistan government confirmed that the national team would take part in the T20 World Cup but would abstain from playing against India. The move prompted the ICC to urge the PCB to reconsider its stance.