Atherton Highlights Commercial and Diplomatic Influence on India-Pakistan Cricket Scheduling
Michael Atherton, the former England captain, has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discontinue the practice of intentionally scheduling events to ensure that India and Pakistan play each other in every major tournament.
Atherton’s comments follow the recent Asia Cup, where the two rivals played each other three times, including the final, which was marked by controversy and tension.
The competition featured heated disputes and unsportsmanlike conduct, and India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Agha.
The hostility extended beyond the men’s event, with the captains of the women’s teams, Fatima Sana and Harmanpreet Kaur, also avoiding a handshake following their ODI Women’s World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday.
Atherton, writing in his column, recognized the significant commercial and diplomatic factors influencing the ICC’s choice to schedule India-Pakistan matches in major events.
Since 2013, the two teams have played each other in the group stage of all 11 ICC events.
Atherton stated that the fixture possesses considerable economic significance, which is a primary factor in the high value of ICC tournament broadcast rights, estimated at around $3 billion for the 2023–27 cycle.
He also highlighted the increasing importance of ICC events as bilateral cricket loses financial value, making the India-Pakistan match critical for broadcasters and stakeholders.
The former England captain, however, contended that the match has evolved into a venue for political and emotional displays rather than a sporting contest.
Atherton asserted that if cricket once served as a vehicle for diplomacy, it has now become a representation of broader tensions and propaganda.
He concluded by emphasizing that there is little justification for manipulating tournament fixtures solely for economic gain, and that in light of how the rivalry is being exploited, there is even less reason to continue this practice.
Atherton urged the ICC to ensure transparency in future tournament draws, stating that the fixture draw should be transparent for the next broadcast rights cycle, and if India and Pakistan don’t meet every time, so be it.
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