ISLAMABAD: Former England cricketer Mark Butcher has said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had “made its own bed” by allowing some teams to refuse to play in certain countries while denying the same option to others.
Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, and Phil Tufnell, Butcher criticized what he described as the “nonsense” surrounding India’s refusal to play Pakistan outside ICC tournaments, calling the overall approach hypocritical.
'Pakistan pulled a blinder'
Butcher said Pakistan’s stance had dealt a major blow to India and the ICC, given the commercial importance of an India-Pakistan fixture.
“Pakistan have basically pulled a blinder. They have said they still want to be involved in the tournament, but they are not going to play India. That is the only lever Pakistan have to pull in this situation. For India, that’s a disaster,” he said.
Butcher criticized the ICC’s handling of security concerns raised by different teams, pointing to Bangladesh’s case ahead of the T20 World Cup in India. He said Bangladesh was not given the same options that India had previously received when it refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
He noted that India played all of its Champions Trophy matches, including the semi-final and final, in Dubai after citing security concerns, while Bangladesh’s request for similar flexibility was denied.
“The Pakistan-India game is the most lucrative fixture in world cricket. That’s why these two teams are always placed in the same group. It’s not a coincidence. Everything is arranged from the top,” Butcher said.
He added that while most teams qualify and are placed in groups through standard procedures, special arrangements are often made for India due to commercial considerations. “With these two teams, it’s all about money,” he said.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also questioned the consistency of ICC decisions, saying the governing body appeared to apply different rules to different teams.
“Is it one rule for one and another for another? India refused to play in Pakistan and got a neutral venue. Bangladesh didn’t get the same treatment. That’s why Pakistan are taking this stance,” Vaughan said.
The comments come as reactions continue after the Pakistani government confirmed that the national team would skip the group-stage match against India scheduled for February 15. The decision followed consultations between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
'ICC double standards'
Pakistan’s move was described by officials as a response to the ICC’s “double standards” in dealing with Bangladesh’s security concerns ahead of the tournament.
Butcher said Pakistan’s refusal to play India was a direct reaction to that decision. “If you won’t come to us, we won’t play against you,” he said, summing up Pakistan’s position.
Following Pakistan’s decision, reports say the ICC has been left concerned about the potential financial and logistical fallout, given the massive broadcast and commercial value attached to an India-Pakistan clash.
Butcher also highlighted what he described as a power imbalance within international cricket, calling India the most influential and wealthiest nation in the sport.
“When this happens, it affects all the other teams. Schedules change, teams have to travel to suit India, and everyone else has to fit in,” he said.
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