After former England captain Michael Atherton urged the ICC to stop ensuring India-Pakistan clashes in every major event, a senior BCCI official hit back — saying broadcasters would never accept a schedule without the game that drives global viewership.
“It’s easy to suggest such things,” the official said, “but will sponsors or broadcasters agree to skip the biggest fixture in cricket?”
Atherton’s remarks came after the fiery T20 Asia Cup 2025, where India and Pakistan met thrice, including in the final marked by tense on-field exchanges and post-match handshake snubs between captains and even women’s teams.
Writing for The Times (UK), Atherton admitted that the *India-Pakistan rivalry fuels billions in broadcast revenue, with ICC tournament rights valued around *$3 billion for the 2023–27 cycle, but he argued the encounters now serve political spectacle more than sport.
He urged the ICC to ensure transparent draws in the next broadcast cycle — even if that means the two sides don’t always meet.
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