Lalit Modi has offered a stark assessment of why bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan remains off the table, suggesting that political factors continue to overshadow any sporting intent.
In an interview with Michael Vaughan on The Overlap Podcast Modi pointed to deep-seated political tensions as the primary reason for the long absence of bilateral series between the two nations. The last such engagement came on tour in 2012-13 when Pakistan traveled to India for a limited overs series.
Political tensions block bilateral recovery
“The problem is that if the Pakistan Cricket Board was independent and operated independently without political influence, we would have some traction. But today it is so politicized by the powers that be,” Modi said.
He added that tensions at the political level show no sign of easing anytime soon. “There’s tension at the political level and it’s not going to go away. It’s only going to get worse, so I’m worried about the players,” he said, before concluding: “I don’t think it’s going to be possible in the near future. I don’t see anything happening realistically.”
PAKISTAN IS THE PROBLEM – Lalit Modi
I was the one who brought the Pakistani players to the IPL and then had to move them after the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai. The problem is if the Pakistan Cricket Board were to be independent and function independently, if not politically pic.twitter.com/9eO11pPMyY— TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy) April 16, 2026
Modi summed up his position in sharp words: “Pakistan is a problem. That’s all I can say.”
The current situation has meant that India and Pakistan now only meet in international tournaments, often at neutral venues such as Sri Lanka or the United Arab Emirates, with both boards unwilling to travel to their respective countries.
From IPL inclusion to termination
Modi also reflected on his role in shaping cricketing ties between the two nations during his tenure. He recalled efforts to revive engagement through exhibition matches and tournaments.
“I was the first to bring India and Pakistan together after nine years in 2006 with the Friendship Series. I started with a match in Glasgow and then played another match in Abu Dhabi when the new stadium was being built. We brought them back together,” he said.
He further highlighted his involvement in the integration of Pakistani players in the early years of the Indian Premier League. The inaugural 2008 season featured several Pakistani stars across the franchises, including Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir.
“I was also the one who brought Pakistani players for IPLand then they had to be evicted after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks,” Modi noted, referring to the turning point that halted their participation in the league.
Despite strained relations, Modi struck a personal note while talking about Imran Khan. “He was a great player and a good friend of mine. A cricketer will always come first for me,” he said.
With political tensions showing no sign of easing, Modi’s remarks suggest that a return to bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan remains a distant prospect, with fans likely to see the two sides only meet in global tournaments for the foreseeable future.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
16 Apr 2026 17:02 IST
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