Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Demands New Global Cricket Body as India Politicizes the Game and Forces a Boycott
February 4, 2026Cricket Turned into a Political Tool
Cricket is meant to stand for fairness, respect, and equal rules, but today it is being openly misused as a political instrument. The recent statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif highlights a crisis that has been growing for years inside global cricket governance. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is increasingly seen as unwilling to act independently when Indian political interests are involved. Decisions that should be purely sporting now reflect political comfort and financial pressure. This shift has damaged the image of cricket as a neutral global game.
◆ Politics before sport: Indian political interests are repeatedly allowed to override cricketing principles, turning an international sport into a tool for regional power games.
◆ Neutrality destroyed: The ICC’s silence in the face of clear bias shows a failure to protect fairness and equal treatment for all member nations.
◆ Global damage: Fans, players, and boards across the world are losing confidence in cricket’s governing system.
Demand for a New Global Cricket Governing Body
The demand for a new international cricket body did not emerge suddenly or emotionally. Khawaja Asif clearly stated that the ICC has become “hostage to Indian political interests,” a claim supported by repeated controversial decisions. When a governing body fails to correct imbalance, creating an alternative becomes a serious option. The call reflects growing frustration among cricketing nations that feel sidelined. Reform inside the ICC now looks unrealistic due to India’s overwhelming control.
◆ System failure: The current structure has lost credibility because it protects influence instead of fairness.
◆ Need for balance: Equal representation is no longer possible under one-country dominance.
◆ Breaking point: Continued inaction has pushed the debate toward structural change.
Why the T20 World Cup Boycott Became Necessary
The decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 match against India was a deliberate stand against political misuse of cricket. While participation in the tournament was approved, refusing to play India exposed how deeply politics has infected the game. Cricket cannot function when political hostility decides fixtures. This boycott was meant to highlight injustice, not create it. It forced global attention on an issue long ignored.
◆ Political protest: The boycott was aimed at politicisation, not sporting rivalry.
◆ Cricket sidelined: Matches are no longer decided by sport alone but by political signals.
◆ Message sent: The world was reminded that silence also enables injustice.
India’s Financial Grip on World Cricket
India’s influence over cricket is driven largely by money rather than merit. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the richest cricket competition in the world and gives India unmatched leverage. Between 2024 and 2027, the IPL is projected to generate $1.15 billion, which is nearly 39 percent of the ICC’s total annual revenue. This financial weight shapes decisions behind closed doors. When revenue controls governance, smaller nations lose their voice.
◆ Money as power: Financial dominance is converted into decision-making control.
◆ Unequal system: Smaller boards struggle to be heard or protected.
◆ Commercial takeover: Profit now outweighs sporting integrity.
Conflict of Interest at the Top of the ICC
Concerns grow stronger when leadership is examined closely. The ICC is chaired by Jay Shah, the son of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, raising serious questions about independence. The role demands neutrality, but political links damage credibility. Even if decisions appear procedural, perception of bias is unavoidable. Trust cannot survive under such leadership structures.
◆ Leadership concern: Political connections weaken institutional trust.
◆ Impartiality questioned: Independence looks compromised at the top.
◆ Governance weakness: Proper checks and balance are missing.
Selective Decisions That Expose Bias
Recent ICC actions show a clear pattern of selective fairness. When Bangladesh raised security concerns and requested matches outside India, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland instead of addressing the issue. This decision favored Indian convenience over safety and fairness. Such actions reinforce accusations of bias. Rules appear flexible only when India benefits.
◆ Double standards: Similar issues receive different treatment.
◆ Safety ignored: Political ease is placed above player security.
◆ Bias confirmed: Trust continues to erode.
Politics on the Field, Not Just in Offices
The political damage is visible even during matches. In the Asia Cup 2025, Indian players refused to shake hands with opponents, breaking basic sporting norms. This behavior went unpunished and unchallenged. When such acts are tolerated, politics becomes normalised on the field. The spirit of cricket suffers silently.
◆ Sportsmanship broken: Respect is replaced by hostility.
◆ No accountability: Authorities fail to act decisively.
◆ Dangerous signal: Politics is allowed to dominate play.
Cricket’s Future at a Critical Crossroads
Cricket now faces a serious test of credibility. If the ICC continues to operate under Indian political and financial pressure, its legitimacy will weaken further. Calls for a new governing body will grow stronger. The game can only survive through fairness, neutrality, and equal rules. Ignoring the crisis will cause long-term damage to global cricket.
◆ Urgent reform: Delay will deepen division.
◆ Equal governance: No country should dominate global sport.
◆ Final warning: Cricket must be saved from politics.
