Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for a new global cricket governing body, saying the International Cricket Council (ICC) has become a hostage to Indian political interests.
The statement comes amid a fresh row between the neighbouring countries ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The Pakistani government announced earlier this week that its national men’s team has been cleared to play in the upcoming World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
However, Pakistan said its team would boycott the match against India on February 15.
The ICC responded by saying that Pakistan’s decision was “not in the interest of global sport or the welfare of fans around the world, including millions of fans in Pakistan”.
Pakistan’s dispute with the ICC is due to its recent dissatisfaction with the cricket body’s decision to replace Scotland for the World Cup.
Bangladesh had requested the ICC to shift its matches outside India due to security concerns as political tensions in Delhi and Dhaka escalated.
“A new international cricket body is needed to keep the spirit of the men’s game alive. The ICC has become a hostage to Indian political interests in South Asia,” Asif wrote on social media platform X.
India generates the largest share of cricket’s commercial revenue and therefore enjoys a strong influence over the game.
Critics argue that this financial contribution translates into a crucial lever within the ICC.
A large part of that revenue comes from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the sport’s most lucrative T20 cricket competition, which is run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Between 2024 and 2027, the IPL is projected to generate $1.15 billion, which is close to 39 percent of the ICC’s total annual revenue, according to international media reports.
The ICC is headed by Jay Shah, son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.
The ICC presidency is expected to be independent of any cricket board and therefore make impartial decisions.
India and Pakistan were embroiled in a four-day military standoff in May last year.
The two countries’ militaries have been at loggerheads since 1999, with the two countries’ militaries attacking each other with drones, missiles, fighter jets and artillery, and the bilateral tensions have also spilled over into cricket, with India refusing to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during the Asia Cup in September 1999.
The two teams have met in three matches, all of which India won.
The two teams have not shaken hands before or after the tournament.
The two countries have not played a full bilateral series since 2012–13 due to political tensions.
They mostly meet in neutral venues for sporting events.
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