From Diplomacy to Drama: Atherton Says India–Pakistan Rivalry Is “Cricket’s Biggest Mirage”

Former England captain Michael Atherton has sharply criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for routinely scheduling high-stakes matches between India and Pakistan in major tournaments, arguing that cricket has devolved into a tool for propaganda rather than diplomacy. In a column published in The Times on Tuesday, Atherton called for greater transparency in fixture planning and suggested that the arch-rivals should not necessarily face off in every event, especially as geopolitical frictions intensify. His remarks come in the wake of the Asia Cup 2025, where India clinched the title with a victory over Pakistan in the final on September 28, but the tournament was marred by off-field controversies.

The Asia Cup, hosted across the UAE and Sri Lanka, saw India and Pakistan clash three times amid the shadow of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which heightened bilateral strains. Incidents such as a reported handshake snub between players and a dispute over the trophy presentation ceremony overshadowed the on-field action, drawing global scrutiny. Atherton highlighted how these encounters, absent in bilateral series since 2013 due to diplomatic standoffs, now dominate multilateral events like World Cups, Champions Trophies, and Asia Cups. "If cricket was once the vehicle for diplomacy, it is now, clearly, a proxy for broader tensions and for propaganda," he wrote, emphasising that the scarcity of such fixtures amplifies their emotional and economic weight.

Atherton pointed to the financial stakes, noting that India-Pakistan games are a cornerstone of ICC broadcast deals, valued at around $3 billion for the 2023-27 cycle. This economic pull has led to more frequent ICC tournaments to offset the decline in bilateral cricket's revenue, he argued, but it comes at the cost of exploiting national rivalries for profit. "There is little justification, in any case, for a serious sport to arrange tournament fixtures to suit its economic needs," Atherton stated, urging the ICC to prioritise integrity over income. He advocated for open draws prior to events in the next rights cycle, allowing for the possibility that the teams might skip matchups without repercussions.

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The critique resonates in a cricket landscape where India-Pakistan encounters consistently shatter viewership records—the Asia Cup final alone drew over 200 million viewers worldwide—yet fuel divisive narratives on social media and beyond. Atherton's stance echoes past calls from figures like India's BCCI officials, who have cited security concerns for halting bilateral ties, while Pakistan has accused the ICC of bias toward Indian interests. As the ICC gears up for the 2026 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Atherton's words could spark debates on balancing commerce with conscience, potentially reshaping how one of sport's fiercest rivalries is packaged for global audiences.

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