Former England captain Michael Atherton accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of deliberately scheduling India-Pakistan matches in major tournaments for commercial gain. Writing in The Times (UK) on October 6, 2025, Atherton argued that these fixtures prioritise profit over sport. His remarks follow heated clashes at the 2025 Asia Cup, where the rivals met three times, including the final
The Asia Cup saw unsportsmanlike conduct, with India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s Salman Agha. Similarly, women’s team captains Fatima Sana (Pakistan) and Harmanpreet Kaur (India) skipped handshakes after an ODI World Cup match in Colombo on October 5. These incidents highlight the rivalry’s intensity.
Michael Atherton said, "After the Asia Cup fiasco, India–Pakistan games should not be scheduled at ICC events." (The Times) pic.twitter.com/QrxrnjHhri
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) October 6, 2025Atherton noted the fixture’s economic weight. “The India-Pakistan match carries huge clout,” he wrote, citing $3 billion in ICC broadcast rights for 2023–27. The teams have faced off in the group stage of all 11 ICC events since 2013. As bilateral cricket loses value, these clashes drive revenue for broadcasters.
However, Atherton criticised the ICC’s approach. “Cricket has become a proxy for tensions and propaganda,” he said. He argued that manipulating draws for profit undermines the sport’s integrity.
Read: PCB Suspends NOCs for Foreign Leagues, Ties Approvals to Player Performance
Atherton urged reform. “The fixture draw should be transparent,” he stated. If India and Pakistan don’t meet every time, he added, “so be it.” This push for fairness aims to restore cricket’s focus on competition over politics
The India-Pakistan rivalry fuels global interest in cricket but risks overshadowing the game with controversy. Atherton’s critique challenges the ICC to prioritise sport over commerce.
