ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly devised a boldcontingency strategy in response to escalating tensions with theInternational Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket inIndia (BCCI). Sources indicate that if the Jay Shah-led ICC imposespunitive measures on Pakistan for refusing to play a scheduled matchagainst India, the PCB is prepared to initiate steps toward splitting fromthe existing global cricket framework and establishing a new internationalcricket governing body. This development underscores deepening fractures ininternational cricket governance amid longstanding bilateral andmultilateral disputes.
The core issue revolves around Pakistan’s stance on participating inhigh-profile encounters with India, particularly in upcoming ICC eventssuch as the T20 World Cup 2026. Recent reports highlight Pakistan’sdecision to boycott specific matches against India, citing reciprocity insecurity concerns and perceived double standards by the ICC. This followspatterns observed in prior tournaments, including the Champions Trophy 2025and Asia Cup editions, where venue shifts and hybrid models wereimplemented due to India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan. The PCB viewssuch accommodations as favoring BCCI dominance, prompting discussions ofmore drastic countermeasures.
According to credible accounts from cricket circles, PCB officials havesignaled readiness to collaborate with like-minded cricket boards andassociate members to form an alternative international cricket authority.This new entity would aim to organize tournaments independently,potentially reducing reliance on ICC structures perceived as influenced bythe BCCI’s financial and administrative leverage. The proposal emergesagainst a backdrop where India-Pakistan bilateral series have been absentsince 2012-13, with engagements limited to ICC or ACC events often underneutral or hybrid arrangements. Such a move could reshape global cricketdynamics significantly.
Financial implications form a critical aspect of this contingency planning.The India-Pakistan clash remains one of cricket’s most lucrative fixtures,generating substantial broadcasting and sponsorship revenue for the ICC. Aboycott or withdrawal from such matches has been estimated to risk lossesin the tens of millions of dollars, as seen in warnings from broadcastersover potential legal actions. Despite these stakes, PCB sources emphasizeprincipled positions over commercial considerations, arguing that uncheckedBCCI influence undermines the sport’s equitable governance. Past instances,including threats during the 2023 Asia Cup relocation, illustrate arecurring pattern of resistance followed by pragmatic resolutions.
The ICC’s recent handling of related controversies has fueled PCBdiscontent. For instance, the replacement of Bangladesh in the T20 WorldCup 2026 lineup after security-related refusals to play in India drewaccusations of inconsistency, especially when compared to allowancesgranted to India in prior events. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has publiclycriticized perceived double standards, reinforcing the narrative that theICC operates under disproportionate BCCI sway. This sentiment aligns withbroader calls from some cricketing nations for reforms to address powerimbalances in decision-making processes.
Historically, threats of boycotts or alternative structures have surfacedduring periods of heightened Indo-Pak cricketing friction. In 2022-23, PCBwarnings of non-participation in the ODI World Cup followed Asia Cup venueshifts, though participation ultimately occurred. Similarly, recent AsiaCup 2025 incidents involving match officials and protocols led todisciplinary considerations rather than outright ruptures. These precedentssuggest that while contingency plans signal resolve, actual implementationfaces substantial hurdles, including member board consensus and financialdependencies on ICC revenues.
The potential formation of a new body would require coordination amongmultiple federations, particularly those from Asia and associate nationsdissatisfied with current hierarchies. Proponents argue it coulddemocratize cricket administration, offering greater representation toemerging markets and reducing monopolistic tendencies. Critics, however,warn of fragmentation that might dilute the sport’s global appeal,sponsorship value, and unified standards. The ICC’s revenue model, heavilyreliant on major markets like India, positions any split as a high-riskstrategy with uncertain outcomes for participating boards.
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Pakistan’s position reflects broader geopolitical and administrativetensions influencing cricket. Government directives often guide PCBdecisions on sensitive bilateral matters, emphasizing national interestsover sporting imperatives. As discussions continue, stakeholders monitorwhether diplomatic interventions or ICC concessions could avert escalation.The coming months, particularly surrounding major tournaments, will testthe viability of this backup plan and its implications for cricket’sinternational order.
In summary, the PCB’s reported strategy represents a significant escalationin ongoing disputes over fairness and autonomy in world cricket. Whileaimed at countering perceived hegemony, its success hinges on widespreadsupport and navigation of complex economic realities.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1968745
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