IND vs PAK match: Not a cricket contest but a place for Asian cricket diplomacy

After a month-long hiatus, the crown jewel of cricket, the India vs Pakistan match, is back on track, if the weather permits in Colombo on Sunday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) was willing to bend over backwards for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Mohsin Naqvi made the ICC, chaired by the former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary and son of India’s home minister, come to his doorstep.

For once, Pakistan had the whip in its hands, and the ICC was ready to dance to its tune. All of this happened because PCB threatened to boycott the India vs Pakistan match on February 15. The entire cricket world was in a frenzy. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Emirates Cricket Board wrote to PCB, urging them to reconsider. But it wasn’t about cricket.

The first domino to fall was Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove him. Why? The BCCI didn’t mention it. The reason was the worsening relationship between India and Bangladesh on a geopolitical front.

India vs Pakistan, about everything but cricket

A Hindu man was lynched in Bangladesh, which hit several Indians of the same religion right where it hurt. This, combined with India providing a safe haven to Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, someone who’s sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s interim government, soured the relationship between the two neighbours.

Mustafizur’s removal led to Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026 and the PCB threatening a boycott of the India vs Pakistan match. The ICC had to douse the fire. The game was valued at $250 million (INR 2289 crore approximately). The ICC, BCCI, or PCB couldn’t afford a financial loss of this magnitude.

So, everyone scampered. Discussions were underway. The ICC sent officials to Lahore, with PCB Chairman Naqvi and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam both attending. A solution was reached. Pakistan would play India on February 15. Bangladesh won’t be punished and will be awarded the hosting rights of an ICC tournament.

But what did Pakistan get out of it? Well, for once, Pakistan managed to challenge BCCI/India’s hegemony in cricket. The BCCI has been running the show for a while. As rivals, on and off the field, Pakistan haven’t managed to one-up India. That’s where Naqvi came in.

You see, Naqvi isn’t a cricket administrator. He’s a journalist turned politician. Currently, he’s Pakistan’s Minister of Interior and Narcotics Control. This was never about cricket. It was about championing the other, showing superiority. It was about politicians earning brownie points for nationality.

BCCI, which has several high-ranking officials with direct relations to the ruling Indian government, removed Mustafizur for political reasons. The Bangladesh government forced BCB and players to skip the tournament, only to throw them under the bus later. Meanwhile, PCB’s head is a high-ranking politician, part of the cabinet.

Future of Asian cricket hangs in balance

For the last few years, the India vs Pakistan match hasn’t been about cricket. It’s about ICC, BCCI, and PCB making money. Politicians are using the match for their own gain. Cricketers are abused on both sides. Fans wage war online. All for what? A rivalry that hasn’t been close for over a decade.

But it hasn’t stopped. On February 15, the India vs Pakistan match will be played in Colombo. On the sidelines of the game, the heads of BCCI, PCB, BCB, SLC, and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) will meet. At the moment, India doesn’t see eye to eye with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Afghanistan and Pakistan aren’t on good terms either. It’s all a bit of a hot mess.

Combined, the five nations have a population of around 2 billion. This meeting could very well decide the fate of Asian and world cricket. The India vs Pakistan match is inconsequential. Both teams are still expected to qualify for the Super 8. But a tête-à-tête between the cricket supremos could decide where cricket heads in the years to come.

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