Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain said the ICC’s real test is “consistency” in treating Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India equally.

"I guess the real comparison would be… If it had been India, and in the future if India, a month before a tournament, say our government does not want us to go and play in that country in a World Cup, would the ICC have been so firm and say, 'you know the rules, bad luck, we're knocking you out'," Hussain said. "That is the only question that all sides ask for is consistency," he added.

Hussain warned that political spillovers can weaken cricket, reduce competitiveness, and affect franchise leagues. He pointed to concerns that IPL owners might influence team selections in The Hundred, affecting Pakistani and Bangladeshi players.

“I know The Hundred, I think the ECB, if I got that right, have said that they will keep an eye on that and make sure that Pakistan players are picked,” he said.

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Former England captain Michael Atherton said the policy would likely remain unchanged. "I’m fairly certain Richard Gould has said there’d be no change in the policy, which is that obviously The Hundred is open to all players," he added, noting that monitoring is needed because four teams are owned by IPL owners.

Hussain praised Pakistan’s performance despite political challenges. He said he supported Bangladesh in defending Mustafizur Rahman and appreciated Pakistan backing Bangladesh.

He urged cricket to return to its non-political roots: “At some stage, someone’s got to say: 'Enough with this politics. Can we just get back to playing cricket?'"

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed Pakistan will not play India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stressing that "politics should have no place in the field of sports" and Pakistan stands with Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s decision comes after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland when it refused to travel to India due to security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from the IPL.

The controversy highlights how politics continues to influence cricket, affecting players, fans, and tournaments. Hussain’s call for consistency reminds authorities that fairness is vital for the game. Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh shows a united stance, but cricket risks losing its competitive spirit if politics keeps interfering.

Clear rules and equal treatment are needed to protect players and preserve cricket’s integrity.