Moeen Ali’s pointed remarks surfaced in a BDNews24 interview on January 7, 2026, where he addressed the ICC’s handling of international cricket affairs. “The ICC is never neutral, but no one says anything about it. Because everyone knows who runs it,” Ali stated, according to the report. He went further, questioning why powerhouses like England and Australia remain silent: “Shouldn’t countries like Australia and England play a role here? They don’t say anything either.” 

The comments were prompted by the ongoing saga involving Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman. On December 15, 2025, the BCB announced it would not grant Rahman an NOC to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, citing his need for rest ahead of national commitments, including the Asia Cup and a home series against Sri Lanka. Rahman, who had been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 2 crore, was subsequently released. Ali, without directly blaming Bangladesh, suggested the decision stemmed from broader “politics in cricket,” implying external influences from powerful boards.

Ali’s critique extended to the ICC’s role as a guardian of the game. “The ICC has never really behaved as a proper guardian body,” he said, per multiple reports. He accused the organization of prioritizing individual agendas over fairness, particularly favoring “one cricket nation”-widely interpreted as India, given the BCCI’s financial dominance.

The BCB’s NOC denial came amid Rahman’s injury concerns from a shoulder issue sustained during the Bangladesh Premier League in November 2025. KKR’s release followed on December 20, 2025. Ali’s interview, conducted shortly after, was published amid escalating online discussions. By January 8, 2026, the story had gone viral on social media, with X posts amplifying the quote.