Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for the creation of a new global cricket governing body, saying the current International Cricket Council has become overly influenced by Indian political and commercial interests.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Asif said a new organisation was needed “to keep the spirit of the gentleman’s game alive,” accusing the ICC of being “hostage to Indian political interests.”
The remarks come amid rising tensions between Pakistan and the ICC over the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 — co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka — and Pakistan’s announced boycott of its scheduled group-stage match against India on Feb. 15. The boycott decision has triggered debate over the mixing of politics and sport and has brought cricket governance into the spotlight.
Asif’s comments reflect long-standing grievances in Islamabad about what officials describe as disproportionate influence exerted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the richest and largest revenue generator in world cricket, on ICC decisions. Critics argue that India’s financial contribution and media market heft give it outsized leverage in cricket’s global administration.
The ICC has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to seek a “mutually acceptable resolution” to the dispute and has warned that selective participation in the tournament undermines global cricket principles such as fairness and competitiveness.
Pakistan’s stance has drawn mixed reactions internationally, with some cricket commentators describing the call for a new body as a dramatic step that could deepen divisions in the sport, while others see it as an expression of frustration with current governance structures. (Newswire)