Pakistan given fewer matches than associate nations by ICC

Men in Green almost sidelined in schedule from May 2019 to May 2023 according to Future Tours Programme

KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Future Tours Programme (FTP) and eyebrows were raised at the paucity of matches afforded to Pakistan.

The Men in Green have garnered a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting teams due to their mercurial and unpredictable nature but play only 28 Tests and 38 ODIs in the four-year schedule running from May 2019 to May 2023.

Pakistan’s 28 Tests are the joint-lowest of the established Test sides alongside New Zealand, with only Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland playing fewer games.

For comparison, India play 37 Tests, England play 46 and Australia play 40. Even Bangladesh, still considered as one of the minnows by many, play 35 Tests; 25% more than Pakistan.

Tests are not the only format in which Pakistan fans can feel hard done by. Their 38 ODIs are the lowest of all teams, even lower than that of Afghanistan (41), Zimbabwe (40) and Ireland (42).

Again for comparison, arch-rivals India play 61 ODIs, West Indies play 62 and Sri Lanka play 48.

Pakistan also play 38 T20Is in the four years — also the joint-lowest of the established Test-playing nations. Even Ireland play six more T20Is, while India play 61, West Indies 55 and New Zealand play 49.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Arif Abbasi understandably believes the ICC needs to amend the FTP, especially considering that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) failed to include even a single match against Pakistan.

“The reason the ICC is treating the PCB like this is because it doesn’t have a proper structure of management nor do they have the required knowledge,” he said, while talking to The Express Tribune. “They don't take the right decision at the right time, challenging the ICC now is of no use, neither will the ICC do anything about it nor will the BCCI go against their government.”

Abbasi was incensed at the lack of matches given to Pakistan and alleged that the ICC are biased against the Men in Green.

“They have been wronging Pakistan for a while now,” he said. “It is very shameful that the team that has topped the ranking charts in various formats in 2017 and won the Champions Trophy has been given fewer matches than associate nations.”

Abbasi, however, feels the PCB must do whatever it can to improve the situation, suggesting that they audit themselves and become a stronger board in order to stand against the ICC in the future.

“The BCCI may be private but they will never go against their government,” he said. “They have no option but to go with the FTP.”