There is so much happening in cricket at the moment, both on and off the pitch, that it is difficult to determine which aspect has the most long-term relevance.
England’s men’s five match Test series against India resumed at Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 23 with the fourth Test. Tensions and tempers ran high in the previous match at Lords, where issues of quality with the Dukes-manufactured cricket balls loomed large. It remains to be seen whether these issues spill over to Manchester and to relations between the two teams in future. Dukes have undertaken to conduct a thorough review of the offending products. Their longer-term future may be in jeopardy.
In terms of relations between teams and countries, those involving India and Pakistan show few signs of mellowing. Evidence of this emerged during the World Championship of Legends tournament being played in England between July 18 and Aug. 4. India and Pakistan were scheduled to face each other at Edgbaston on July 20. A combination of player withdrawals, sponsor disengagement and unfavorable public views expressed on social media led to organizers cancelling the match — the announcement of which came only the day before it was due to be played. Last year, the corresponding match attracted 20,000 spectators; a year on, recent hostilities have percolated so far down the chain to involve retired players.
Former prominent Indian cricketers chose not to play, with Shikhar Dhawan saying he had taken the decision on May 11, putting country “above all else.” The tournament sponsor, Indian company EaseMyTrip which has a five-year agreement, officially announced it had told the tournament team from the beginning it “does not support or promote any match featuring Pakistan.”
This was an extraordinarily strong stance which reinforced public sentiment. The situation has been further muddied by rumors the Pakistan team is not willing to share the points on the basis that the match was abandoned because the Indian side withdrew.
How the deteriorating relations spill over into matches between the national teams of both countries remains to be seen. News about the men’s Asia Cup has been silent for the last three weeks. Hopes were raised it might be hosted in the UAE, rather than the nominated host country India, in early to mid-September. The AGM of the Asia Cricket Council, at which the Asia Cup should be discussed, has been scheduled for Dhaka on July 24-25. Even this has created tensions. It is understood Mohsin Naqvi, chair of both the ACC and the Pakistan Cricket Board, as well as being Pakistan’s interior minister, invited the Bangladesh Cricket Board to host the meeting. There are current political tensions between India and Bangladesh and a six match white ball series between them, set for August, has recently been rescheduled.
It was no surprise to learn the Board of Control for Cricket in India initially objected to the choice of venue and indicated it would not send a representative. This view may well have been shared by other ACC members, who may not wish to run the risk of upsetting the BCCI. At least three representatives of the five Asian Test playing nations need to be present to achieve a quorum. One assumes Bangladesh is in favor, along with Pakistan. If India is not, pressure is placed on Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The ACC constitution also requires the presence of at least 10 full non-test playing nations or associate members in order to be quorate. There are ten of each category and doubts were expressed about their keenness to participate in sufficient quantity.
Nevertheless, Naqvi refused to yield on the venue. It can be assumed there have been strenuous behind the scenes diplomatic maneuvers in the last few days to avert a stand-off. The latest indications are that the AGM will go ahead with virtual attendance by some boards and probably a reduced agenda. It is very much in Pakistan’s interest that the Asia Cup takes place because, unlike the cash-rich BCCI, it needs the income, estimated at around $14 million. Naqvi may not have helped matters by being unable to attend the ICC AGM in Singapore between July 17-20 as it clashed with an official visit to Afghanistan in his ministerial role, although he did join virtually.
Those present discussed matters ranging from the governance of cricket in the USA to new members and support for displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent, many of whom are in Australia. Cricket’s administrators have been criticized for a lack of action in respect of these women. An ICC working group reported on a program designed to deliver support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities and engagement at key ICC global events. These may include the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
A priority for the ICC is to ensure USA Cricket has appropriate governance structures in place in the build up to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, when cricket will feature for the first time since 1900. USA Cricket has been plagued by persistent governance and legal issues for years, something which concerns the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which has yet to designate USA Cricket as the national governing body for cricket in the US. Such a body is required in order to field teams at the Olympics.
A year ago, the ICC issued a suspension notice to USA Cricket pending comprehensive governance reforms, which included the completion of free and fair elections. These have not yet been enacted and the ICC has extended its period of notice by a further three months, adding it reserves the right to take such actions as it deems appropriate. If USA Cricket is still deemed non-compliant then it could be suspended and, ultimately, face expulsion as a member.
A brighter note, at least for the England and Wales Cricket Board, was confirmation of it being awarded hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for 2027, 2029 and 2031. Two new members — Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and Zambia Cricket Union — were announced as ICC Associate members, taking the total to 110. Timor-Leste becomes the 10th Associate member of the East Asia Pacific region and is the first to join since the Philippines in 2003. In Zambia’s case, it represents a return to the fold after being expelled in 2021 due to administrative and organizational issues. Africa now has 22 ICC members with the prospect of an increase in future. Burkina Faso, Mauritius and Burundi are all planning to submit relevant paperwork to the ICC’s membership committee before a December deadline.
These moves underpin the ICC’s strategy to expand cricket’s global reach and to make cricket more inclusive globally. Each should bring longer term benefits and be applauded. It is less clear how the geo-political tensions at the top of the game will play out. There is a fear Pakistan may become isolated. If so, this would only serve to strengthen India’s control over world cricket. The outcome of the ACC AGM may provide further evidence of how this power is being wielded.
