Pakistan Defence Minister Demands New Global Cricket Body

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif calls for a new global cricket body, accusing the ICC of favouring India amid the T20 World Cup 2026 dispute.

On Tuesday, February 3, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called for a new global cricket body, questioning the International Cricket Council’s(ICC) role. His comments arrive amid renewed tension with India ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Earlier this week, Pakistan’s government approved the men’s team to compete in the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, from February 7. The same announcement confirmed Pakistan will not play India on February 15, without giving a reason.

The ICC responded by stating the decision harms the game’s wider interests and affects cricket followers globally, including fans in Pakistan. Asif later said the sport needs a new international structure to protect its values. He argued that the current system no longer functions independently.

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“A new international organization of cricket is needed to keep the spirit of the gentleman’s game alive. ICC has become hostage to Indian political interests in South Asia,” he wrote on X.

Questions Raised Over ICC Leadership Neutrality

Notably, Pakistan’s disagreement with the International Cricket Council has grown after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland for the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh had asked for its matches to be moved outside India due to security concerns linked to political tensions. However, the ICC disagreed, and ultimately, Bangladesh was replaced.

Meanwhile, India remains the biggest financial force in world cricket. Its influence largely comes from the IPL, the sport’s richest T20 competition, run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Reports estimate the IPL will earn $1.15 billion from 2024 to 2027, close to 39 percent of the ICC’s yearly revenue.

The ICC is led by Jay Shah, the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah. The role is expected to remain neutral, but regional politics continue to affect cricket relations. Strained India-Pakistan ties have repeatedly come up. The two sides last played a full bilateral series in 2012-13 and now meet mainly at neutral venues.