Wasim Akram urged the ICC to keep politics out of cricket and ensure players from all countries, including India and Pakistan, can play freely.
Tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following the Pahalgam terror attack, and the strained relations have spilled into cricket. Two World Championship of Legends matches were cancelled, and even during the three India–Pakistan encounters at the Asia Cup, on-field interactions were tense.
The trophy controversy involving ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi further deepened the divide, leaving the cricketing relationship at its lowest point. Amid the continuing standoff, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has urged the ICC to intervene and separate politics from sport.
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“I’m sorry. But what I don’t like in cricket is politics. Straightforward. Sports should be kept away from politics. In league cricket, pick every player from every nation. Be brave. Be bigger. But that’s not happening, unfortunately. And I think that’s where the ICC comes in. That’s where cricket boards come in. It doesn’t matter who owns the league. It doesn’t matter who owns the teams. Every player from every nation should be picked,” Akram said in an interview with Wisden Cricket.
Notably, Pakistan cricketers were part of the Indian Premier League’s first season in 2008, with players like Shoaib Akhtar representing Kolkata Knight Riders and Kamran Akmal featuring for Rajasthan Royals. However, following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the BCCI barred Pakistan players from further participation.
India and Pakistan last met in a Test series in 2007 and in an ODI series in 2012–13. Since then, the two teams have faced each other only in ICC and ACC tournaments.
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