Pakistan is hosting an ICC tournament after a long hiatus, with the ICC Champions Trophy kicking off on February 19. However, the first semi-final match of the tournament will be played in Dubai, and if the Indian team wins their semi-final match, the final will also be held in Dubai on March 9. This arrangement has raised eyebrows, given that India is playing all its matches at the Dubai International Stadium in the Champions Trophy.
The reason behind this setup is largely attributed to the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in world cricket, which has been a point of contention for Pakistanis. The fact that the host nation, Pakistan, has already been eliminated from the tournament, has further fueled the tensions. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has been vocal about his dissatisfaction, appealing to the cricket boards of all countries to boycott the Indian Premier League (IPL).
During a TV show, Inzamam ul Haq expressed his sentiments, “You should take a stand on one side, but you still watch the IPL. All the top players in the world come and play in the IPL. Indian players, however, do not participate in foreign leagues.” He suggested that all boards should adopt a similar approach, stopping their players from participating in the IPL. “If you don’t let your players go for a league, then other boards should also take a similar stance,” he added.
The IPL has become a magnet for top cricketers from around the world, with many foreign players prioritizing IPL matches over national duties. The BCCI, on the other hand, has a strict policy of not allowing its players to participate in foreign leagues, unless they have retired from both international cricket and the IPL. Pakistani players, too, have been prohibited from playing in the IPL since the terrorist attack in Mumbai, although some had participated in the first edition of the tournament.
The BCCI’s Influence and the Future of Cricket
The BCCI’s dominance in world cricket has been a topic of discussion for a while now, with many analysts believing that it has created an uneven playing field. The fact that Indian players are not allowed to participate in foreign leagues, while the IPL attracts the best talent from around the world, has raised questions about the long-term implications for the sport. As the cricket world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics between the BCCI, the IPL, and other cricket boards play out, and what this means for the future of the sport.