After ICC Champions Trophy fiasco, Ex-PCB Chairman unhappy
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wields unparalleled influence in global cricket, thanks to its financial clout. This dominance often compels the International Cricket Council (ICC) to align with BCCI’s preferences, drawing criticism. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy exemplified this power dynamic. Despite Pakistan being the official host, BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian team to Pakistan led to Dubai co-hosting the tournament. India played all its matches in Dubai, sparking accusations of an unfair advantage.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was particularly aggrieved, as it lost the opportunity to host high-revenue matches such as India vs. Pakistan and the final. After investing over ₹500 crores in infrastructure upgrades, PCB faced diminished financial returns. Former PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani criticized BCCI for not honoring agreements made during his tenure. He highlighted that while Pakistan toured India for the World Cup, BCCI failed to ensure visas for Pakistani fans and journalists, as promised.
Mani urged ICC Chairman Jay Shah to mediate and prevent such issues in the future. He emphasized that resolving these disputes rests on BCCI’s willingness to cooperate, as its actions significantly impact cricket’s global governance and fairness.