Atherton Urges End to Fixed India-Pakistan Matches in ICC Events
Former England captain Michael Atherton has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stop “arranging” fixtures to force India and Pakistan to meet in every tournament. He said the rivalry is increasingly being used as a tool for politics and publicity rather than sport.
Critique of Fixture Manipulation
Atherton argues fixtures are often manipulated so that India and Pakistan clash at least once. He noted that since 2013, the two teams have been drawn together in ICC group stages in major events such as World Cups and T20 tournaments. Many see this as done for commercial gain and media attention.
Asia Cup as a Turning Point
His comments follow controversies in the 2025 Asia Cup, where relations turned tense. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, refused to shake hands with Pakistan’s skipper in matches. India later declined to receive the trophy from a Pakistani official. Such incidents, Atherton says, show how the rivalry has strayed from sport into diplomacy and spectacle.
Demand for Transparency
Atherton urged the ICC to adopt transparent draw systems and accept that India and Pakistan may not meet in every ICC event. He said: “If cricket was once the vehicle for diplomacy, it is now clearly a proxy for broader tensions and propaganda.”
Impact and Future
If the ICC heeds Atherton’s advice, future tournaments may see fresher, less predictable matchups. Many in the cricket community support the idea of letting sport—not scheduling—decide whether these two teams meet.
