Pakistan media reports have questioned the ‘growing influence’ of BCCI and Team India on ICC’s decisions after the Men in Blue won the Champions Trophy 2025. The media reports in Pakistan have criticised Jay Shah and BCCI of abusing its power.
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Jay Shah’s elevation to the chairman’s post in the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Team India’s
victory in the recently-concluded Champions Trophy 2025 have supposedly set alarm bells ringing in Pakistan’s cricket fraternity.
The mood in Pakistan’s cricket ecosystem is evident from recent media reports accusing the BCCI of leveraging its financial strength and suggesting that India’s Champions Trophy triumph was aided by a “one-venue” advantage.
Tensions have been high ever since India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, forcing the ICC
to schedule their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. Further controversies, including Pakistan’s name missing under the ICC logo during the live broadcast of India’s match against Bangladesh, the
Indian national anthem being played at a match in Pakistan and the absence of a PCB official at the Champions Trophy 2025 closing ceremony, have only added fuel to the fire.
Reflecting the unhappy mood, a report in Pakistan news portal Dawn, titled Champions Trophy: India turn ‘one-venue advantage’ into glory, on India’s win over New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025 final, complained about the
final presentation ceremony, stating that it gave “no indication that this tournament had been hosted and played — for the most part — in Pakistan.”
The report further claimed that “India remains the sport’s biggest financier and its hold over the ICC is unyielding.
The report added that the hybrid arrangement left the Pakistan cricket team helpless and with a scenario that was against the spirit of the game.
“The hybrid arrangement in neutral Dubai after India refused to cross the border, combined with inept performances from the Mohammad Rizwan-led host team, meant Pakistan never stood a chance of making a mark on its own tournament,” the report said.
“…In another time, another place, such a state of affairs during an international tournament may well have been dubbed ‘not cricket’. But with their monopoly over the ICC and the eyeballs watching, nothing can stop India from having its way as far as cricket is concerned.”
‘India making mockery of international tournaments’
Another report in Pakistan’s Tribune accused India of “making a mockery of international tournaments.”
The news piece has claimed that India’s financial might, where it contributes almost 80% of ICC’s revenue, has created an imbalance in world cricket.
“This financial dominance has led to an imbalance where India can make decisions based on its preferences, while smaller cricketing nations have no such power,” the report read.
It further added: “If international cricket is to stay relevant, fairness must be upheld, and no team should be above the game itself.”
A news article titled Is the ICC Losing Its Credibility by Favoring India? in InShort News has accused the ICC of failing to remain neutral under Jay Shah’s leadership and favoring Team India. The article stated that neutrality, along with balanced revenue sharing, is essential for the global cricketing body to ensure the sport remains a truly ‘global’ product.
“To maintain its credibility, the ICC must address these concerns. Transparent decision-making, fair tournament scheduling, and a more balanced revenue-sharing model are essential to ensure that cricket remains a truly global sport.”
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the hybrid model for ICC tournaments has also been extended to the Pakistan team. They will not be required to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, with their matches set to be held in Sri Lanka.