Former ICC Chief Says ICC Cannot Sanction Pakistan for Not Playing India

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has stated that if Pakistan decides not to play against India in the T20 World Cup, no ban can be imposed on the team.

Speaking to Indian media, Mani explained that if the Pakistani team follows government directives to withdraw from a scheduled match against India, the ICC would have no justification for taking disciplinary action. He pointed out a “double standard,” recalling that India refused to play its 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan—following its own government’s instructions—without facing any sanctions or restrictions.

The former ICC president also criticized the world cricket governing body, stating that by failing to address the issue seriously, the ICC has acted as a “silent spectator,” allowing politics to spill into the sport. According to Mani, the ICC must adopt a timely and clear stance to ensure no team is subjected to political pressure or forced into boycotts in the future. He emphasized that keeping the game free from political interference is essential for the health of world cricket.