October 7, 2025 : Former England cricket captain and commentator Mike Atherton has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to end what he termed as the “neatly arranged” scheduling of India–Pakistan clashes in ICC tournaments, suggesting that the practice undermines the spirit of fair competition and gives off a perception of commercial bias.
Atherton made his remarks during a panel discussion for Sky Sports, where he analyzed the Asia Cup 2025 and the upcoming ICC tournaments, including the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup. His comments have reignited debate on whether cricket’s biggest rivalry is being used more for broadcast ratings than sporting balance.
The Context
In recent years, India and Pakistan have met only in ICC or ACC tournaments due to political tensions halting bilateral series. However, critics like Atherton argue that the ICC’s consistent scheduling of their encounters in the group stages of every global event feels “too deliberate to be coincidental.”
“Every ICC event conveniently places India and Pakistan in the same group,” Atherton said. “It’s obvious why—it guarantees massive viewership—but it also raises uncomfortable questions about fairness.”
India–Pakistan matches are known to draw record-breaking global audiences. The 2024 T20 World Cup clash reportedly attracted over 400 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most-watched sporting events of the year.
A Question of Integrity
Atherton’s remarks have sparked discussions about the integrity of the draw process for major tournaments. Critics argue that the ICC, while officially conducting open draws, appears to ensure that an India–Pakistan fixture takes place early in every competition to boost marketing revenue.
He elaborated:
“Sport should be unpredictable. When fans start feeling that marquee fixtures are arranged in boardrooms rather than earned on the field, the competition’s credibility suffers.”
Atherton, who captained England in 54 Tests between 1993 and 2001, said that cricket must strike a balance between commercial viability and competitive authenticity.
The ICC’s Position
The ICC has repeatedly denied any manipulation in its tournament scheduling. Officials maintain that groups are determined using team rankings, seedings, and regional balance to ensure fair representation.
An ICC spokesperson responded to Atherton’s comments, saying:
“The process of group formation follows transparent guidelines. The suggestion that fixtures are designed for commercial reasons is incorrect. High-profile matches are inevitable given team rankings and regional placement.”
However, Atherton’s remarks have found resonance among several former players and journalists who believe that the ICC’s “open draws” often appear too conveniently arranged to avoid the risk of an India–Pakistan final without an earlier face-off.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram echoed parts of Atherton’s sentiment, saying:
“Fans love India–Pakistan games, but there should be no perception that the ICC forces them. Let the teams meet naturally through tournament progress.”
Meanwhile, some Indian commentators defended the ICC, arguing that viewership-driven scheduling is not unique to cricket.
“Every sport highlights marquee fixtures early,” said Harsha Bhogle. “The key is transparency. If the ICC can explain its seeding system clearly, such doubts won’t arise.”
Atherton’s criticism, however, has added weight to growing calls for more balanced tournament structures—especially as the ICC expands its global events calendar over the next decade.
Commercial Angle
There’s no denying that India–Pakistan matches remain cricket’s most lucrative encounters. Sponsorships, ad rates, and broadcast deals peak around these fixtures.
A media industry analyst noted that the revenue from a single Indo-Pak clash can equal or surpass the combined viewership of several other matches in a tournament.
“For broadcasters, this is gold,” said Rohan Desai, a London-based sports economist. “But if financial motives overshadow sporting integrity, it’s a slippery slope.”
Atherton’s remarks have reignited questions about whether the ICC’s increasing reliance on commercial partnerships and broadcasting profits could influence competitive dynamics.
The Broader Debate
The controversy also touches upon cricket’s global governance structure. Critics argue that India’s financial dominance in the sport has inadvertently given the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) greater influence in ICC decision-making.
Atherton, while careful not to single out the BCCI, hinted that commercial considerations were “inevitably intertwined” with cricket’s modern structure.
“No one denies India’s contribution to world cricket,” he said. “But we must ensure that the sport doesn’t lose its unpredictability in pursuit of predictable profits.”
Looking Ahead
The ICC is expected to announce the final fixtures for the 2025 Champions Trophy in the coming months. Fans and experts alike will watch closely to see whether India and Pakistan once again land in the same group—a scenario that Atherton and others have criticized as a “predictable pattern.”
Sports governance experts suggest that the ICC could restore trust by making its draw process public, possibly through live streaming or independent auditing.
“Transparency is the antidote to suspicion,” said analyst Sharda Ugra. “Even if pairings are coincidental, showing the process removes doubts.”
Conclusion
Mike Atherton’s candid remarks have reignited one of cricket’s most sensitive discussions—whether the India–Pakistan rivalry is being over-managed for financial gain. While the ICC defends its transparency, Atherton’s call for reform underscores a deeper truth: sport thrives on authentic competition, not predictable patterns.
As the next ICC event approaches, the world will watch not just for thrilling cricket, but for signs that the game’s global administrators are listening to concerns about fairness, transparency, and integrity.
Summary
Mike Atherton urged the ICC to end “arranged” India–Pakistan matchups, arguing they undermine tournament fairness. The ICC denies bias, but critics say transparency is needed to protect cricket’s competitive integrity.