ICC faces tough spot as support grows for boycott India – SUCH TV

Pakistan’s decision to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India has drawn widespread support from fans and administrators who hailed the move as a long-overdue stand in a rivalry in which sport and geopolitics have collided.

Pakistan’s decision has also handed the International Cricket Council (ICC) a delicate dilemma.

The ICC, in its initial response, warned in a statement that the boycott could undermine the credibility of international cricket and carry long-term consequences for the sport.

Should Pakistan stand by its refusal, the ICC has a range of disciplinary options at its disposal, including warnings, imposing fines, stripping hosting rights or, in extreme cases, suspending participation in ICC events.

A full expulsion from the T20 World Cup, however, would be viewed as a last resort.

The ICC typically seeks to avoid such outcomes as they damage the tournament’s commercial value, weaken competition, and disproportionately affect players and supporters rather than administrators.

In most cases, disputes of this nature are addressed through neutral venues, scheduling adjustments or quiet negotiations behind the scenes.

Historically, when teams have declined to tour or play specific opponents, the ICC has leaned on member boards to find a compromise, reserving bans only for clear violations of its regulations or outright refusal to participate in the tournament itself.

Deepens a long freeze

The boycott deepened a long freeze in bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours — who have not played a full series since 2012-13 and now meet largely at neutral venues — and dealt a blow to the ICC’s marquee event, with India-Pakistan matches the biggest drivers of global viewership and revenue.

Enough is enough

For many in Pakistan, however, the boycott was less about cricketing issues, with Pakistan forfeiting two points by skipping the match, and more about symbolism.

“Enough is enough,” former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi told Reuters, accusing India’s board of politicising the ICC.

“It’s time to challenge this duplicitous approach by exercising PCB’s options in alliance with Bangladesh.”

The ICC said it was still awaiting an official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) conveying their “position of selective participation”.

“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the Dubai-based body said in a statement on Sunday.

The government has not publicly detailed its reasoning, but Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, linked the move to security tensions with India.

“Nothing is more important than the memory of Pakistani citizens and troops murdered by Indian proxy terrorists over the weekend,” Zaidi said.

“With funerals taking place today, this was the least that could be done.”

The remarks followed coordinated attacks by Fitna Al Hindustan militants across Balochistan province over the weekend that killed nearly 50 people.

Pakistan’s World Cup jersey has been branded the “Markhor Edition,” after the national animal, a symbol of resilience also used in military iconography.

Let cricket just be a game

On the streets of Pakistan’s major cities, many cricket fans backed the boycott as a response to what they see as India’s growing arrogance.

“This arrogance of India should be broken a little,” said Mohammad Asghar, a fan in Karachi.

“They should realise someone has come forward to challenge them.”

Others drew parallels with Bangladesh’s earlier withdrawal from the tournament over safety concerns, a move that led to Scotland replacing them.

“If Bangladesh can boycott for one player’s safety, why can’t Pakistan take a stand?” said Ayaz Ahmed.

The decision also sparked heated debate on social media, with users divided between calls for “self-respect” and warnings that skipping the match could further isolate Pakistan in global cricket.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi agreed.

“Cricket can open doors when politics closes them,” he wrote on X.

“It’s regrettable that Pakistan won’t play India, but this is the moment for the ICC to prove it is impartial.”