Former England cricket captain Michael Atherton has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for prioritizing financial gain over the integrity of the sport. In an article for The Times, Atherton expressed disapproval of the ICC’s deliberate scheduling of India-Pakistan matches in major tournaments, advocating instead for a transparent and merit-based fixture allocation process.
Atherton emphasized that while the India-Pakistan rivalry is commercially lucrative, it compromises the principles of fair competition. He pointed out the ICC’s focus on leveraging the marketability of the rivalry to maximize viewership and revenue, rather than ensuring a level playing field.
The ex-captain highlighted the economic significance of the India-Pakistan encounters, especially in light of the ICC’s latest broadcast rights valuation for 2023-2027, which is heavily influenced by these matches. Despite the absence of bilateral series between the two nations since 2013 due to political tensions, Atherton argued that this exclusivity has inflated the rivalry’s economic value and transformed it into a tool for political maneuvering.
Atherton cautioned against cricket being used as a platform for political agendas, urging tournament organizers to resist the temptation of manipulating schedules for economic or political motives. He stressed the need to protect the game from politicization and maintain its moral and cultural balance.
The recent Asia Cup highlighted the dangers of politicizing the India-Pakistan rivalry, with off-field controversies overshadowing the cricketing action. Instances such as India’s trophy refusal from the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and the handshake snub between players further underscored the perils of allowing political tensions to dictate sporting events.
While the India-Pakistan fixtures drew significant viewership, the lingering off-field tensions served as a stark reminder of the detrimental impacts of politicization on the essence of the game. Atherton’s remarks shed light on the need for cricket to uphold its core values and remain insulated from external influences.