Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, left and Pakistani Captain Salman Agha Stand (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Former England Captain Michael Atherton called on the International Criket (ICC) council to increase transparency in its tournament draw system, indicating a reduction in matches in India-Pakistan. His comments follow controversies during the Asia Cup 2025.The recent Asian men’s tournament was marked by political undertones, influenced by a terrorist attack and borderline conflicts between the two nations. These disputes were involved both the Board of the Criket Board in India (BCCI) and the Pakistanian cricket council (PCB).
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India and Pakistan have been permanently placed in the same group on ICC events for many years. The ICC selection process remains largely unexplained, unlike other major sports tournaments.
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The cricket management body reportedly ensures that these teams share the same group to guarantee at least one match in India-Pakistan for a tournament. The Asia Cup will take it further, and its format designed to create three such matches within one month as seen in the last edition.The Asian cricket council (ACC) relies strongly on the income of these matches to support the development of cricket in the region, making it a difficult problem to solve.“Despite its shortage (partly because of its lack) it is an accessory that carries a huge economic influence, which is one of the main reasons why broadcasting rights for ICC tournaments have a $ 3 billion for the latest cycle of rights (IN) 2023-27,” wrote Atherton for The Times. “Given the relative decrease in the value of bilateral matches, ICC events have grown in frequency and importance, so India and Pakistani accessories are essential for the balance sheets of those who would otherwise have no skin in the game.”“If Cricket Was once The Vehicle Fort Diplomacy, IT Is Now, Clearly, and Proxy for Broader Tensions and for Propaganda. There Is Little Justify Other Ways, There Is Even Less Justification for Its.These matches between India and Pakistan create significant economic value, especially for ICC tournaments. Broadcasting rights to these events command essential fees, with the current cycle (2023-27) worth approximately $ 3 billion.Recent events in Asia Cup have emphasized the growing cricket intersection and geopolitics between these nations. The tournament saw several controversies and political statements from both sides.
