West Indies legend Sir Andy Roberts has declared “India can’t get everything”, slamming their perceived “advantage” by playing in Dubai during their ICC Champions Trophy victory.
India securing the title with a four-wicket win over New Zealand, playing all of their games in Dubai despite the tournament being hosted by Pakistan.
The BCCI’s reasoning behind the move was that the Indian government had refused their cricket team permission to travel to Pakistan, with tensions between the neighbouring countries running high.
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“Something’s got to give… India can’t get everything,” Roberts said on Mid-Day.
“At the Champions Trophy, India did not have to travel at all. How can a team not travel during a tournament? It is not fair, it’s not cricket.
“There has to be a level playing field. I know a lot of money comes from India, but cricket ought not to be a one-country sport.
“It now looks like a one-nation competition and the playing field is not level.”
Roberts went on to say that the “ICC stands for Indian Cricket Board”.
“India dictates everything. If tomorrow, India says, ‘listen there should be no no-balls and wides,’ take my word, the ICC will find a way to satisfy India,” he said.
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Outside of criticism levelled at the BCCI, the Pakistan Cricket Board was also slammed for their failure to send a representative to the final.
According to Times of India, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB, was unable to attend due to illness, while others also failed to attend.
Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar took to Twitter with a video to voice his frustrations.
India has won the ICC Champions Trophy today but I noticed something strange. Pakistan were the hosts in the tournament but there were no representatives here,” he said.
“This is beyond my understanding. Why was there no one to represent us and give the trophy? Please think about it, it’s a world stage but sadly I could not see any PCG members.”