There are a few possible solutions to this issue
25 November, 2024
PHOTO: FILE
"How do I explain this to you? You know Fahad Mustafa, right? For Pakistan’s TV and film industry, he’s no less than Shah Rukh Khan. Recently, one of his dramas became quite popular, and it portrayed how parents tend to value the child who earns more, even if the less-earning one is equally talented. The ICC works the same way: since most of its revenue comes from India, it listens to them the most."
I was in conversation with someone deeply knowledgeable about cricket circles, and this is how they explained their point to me. I responded, “Parents love all their children equally; the ICC should act like that too. Unfortunately, for them, India is the favored child, while others are treated like stepchildren. That’s why in any issue involving India, they are always seen as being in the right. But this won’t work anymore; this time, the Indian team will definitely come to Pakistan.”
Hearing this, he smiled and said, “First of all, understand this: you’re not on a TV show right now. Look at the reality—there isn’t even a one percent chance that the Indian team will come. If they do, I’ll shave off my mustache.” I replied jokingly, “But you don’t even have a mustache!” Annoyed, he retorted, “That’s exactly the kind of nonsense I expect from you. Seriously, who does that? You yourself wrote in one of your columns that having cricket teams visit each other signifies the revival of public relations between Pakistan and India. That’s something that will happen at the very last. Right now, relations between the two countries haven’t reached that point. As long as the BJP is in power, this seems impossible.”
He continued, “There are a few possible solutions to this issue. Either the Indian team comes to Pakistan for one match and leaves the same evening, the PCB agrees to the hybrid model where India plays its matches in the UAE, Sri Lanka replaces either Pakistan or India in the event, Pakistan boycotts its match against India, or the tournament is postponed altogether. However, most of these solutions are unacceptable to one party or another. The PCB has made so many public statements that accepting the hybrid model would be a loss of face. India won’t send its team here. The head of the English Cricket Board has already said during his visit to Pakistan that the tournament cannot happen without India’s participation. Other boards also won’t want to upset their ‘wealthy friend.’ On the other hand, Pakistan is also a major cricketing power and cannot simply be excluded. If the two teams don’t play each other, broadcasters might sue the ICC.”
I asked, “So you’ve listed potential solutions and the opposition they might face. But how do you think this dispute will be resolved?” He replied, “The ICC needs to bring both sides to the table and offer options based on logic rather than favoring India. Big problems get solved, so this one can be, too. The ICC should seriously consider the proposals Pakistan is putting forward. The new PCB COO, Sumair Ahmed, is in talks with Geoff Allardice, the ICC CEO. I’ve heard he’s a good officer, but Salman Naseer should have been in this role. What was the rush to transfer him? Sumair doesn’t know much about cricket. However, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has started understanding cricket-related matters quite well. But right now, he’s preoccupied with handling the ongoing PTI protests. Pakistan has already spent 13 billion rupees on stadium upgrades. The ICC might be willing to pay substantial compensation, but that wouldn’t resolve the core issue.”
I responded, “What kind of solution is this? In every ICC event, the Pakistani team goes to India, but they don’t come here. India isn’t earning money alone; other teams also participate. The revenue from one India-Pakistan match equals that of all the other matches combined. That’s why India conveniently forgets its hostility during ICC events. If everyone else is coming here, what’s India’s problem?” He replied, “Exactly. That’s what all Pakistanis are saying now. The PCB should also cite the government’s non-approval and refuse to travel to India until the Indian team comes here. They should demand that Pakistan’s matches also be held under the hybrid model.”
Then he asked me, “What are PCB’s three main sources of revenue?” I answered, “The ICC’s funding, PSL franchise fees, and media rights.” He said, “Exactly. But what if the PCB’s relationship with the ICC sours, and their funding is reduced? The PCB is currently spending a lot. The solution lies in self-sufficiency. They need to make their league and cricket so big that they don’t have to rely on ICC funding, just like India. This isn’t impossible, and Mohsin Naqvi is capable of achieving it. Once that happens, no one will be able to dictate terms to us.”
Finally, I asked, “But what’s the solution to the Champions Trophy issue?” He replied, “If it were in our hands, we’d have solved it by now. It’s up to the ICC, PCB, and BCCI to decide. We can only give suggestions. Let me tell you, though, a resolution will likely come this week. Now, it’s time for my walk; we’ll talk later.”
Our conversation ended, but I’m still wondering how this dispute will be resolved. If you have any ideas, do share them.
