What should Pakistan do now?

Let me tell you a story today. There was once a bully who had made life miserable for everyone in his neighborhood. Since he was also wealthy, people feared him. Interestingly, some of the richest people were among his “friends.” He kept them under his influence by giving them gifts, and in return, they turned a blind eye to his injustices. His arrogance and sense of power kept growing, he considered everyone beneath him.

One day, however, he picked a fight with someone from the neighboring area. Thinking it would be an easy win, he tried to bully him but the neighbor fought back fiercely and beat him so badly that his face turned red. The bully realized it was better not to cross that person again and decided to keep his distance.

A few days later, a poor man from his own neighborhood quarreled with him over something trivial. The bully silenced him with threats and thought: “It was fine when the strong neighbor opposed me, but if every weak person starts standing up to me, my terror will end.” So, he drove that poor man out of the neighborhood.

Since you are reading a cricket column, you’ve probably guessed what this story points toward. India, relying on its wealth, has long held cricket hostage. For the first time, Pakistan gave it a tough time  and the credit goes to the bold PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi. It was because of him that the hybrid model was implemented; otherwise, our team always had to go to India, while they refused to come to Pakistan. Everyone saw what happened during the Asia Cup. Even after winning the tournament, India still hasn’t received the trophy  Pakistan gave them a fitting response.

India tolerated Pakistan’s defiance to some extent, but when Bangladesh dared to challenge them, India reverted to its traditional bullying. With ICC’s support, it got Bangladesh out of the World Cup. Not long ago, India had used the excuse of its government’s refusal to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and so, under the hybrid model, its matches were held in Dubai.

Now Bangladesh’s government has denied permission for the team to go to India  but instead of moving their matches to Sri Lanka, the ICC excluded them entirely. This is hypocrisy at its peak. The ICC is now effectively ruled by India; its chief, Jay Shah, has filled most key positions with Indians. That’s why people now call it the Indian Cricket Council.

Had they accepted Bangladesh’s request, India’s ego would have been bruised  because then “weak” nations would start demanding the same. So, Bangladesh was made an example. Since Pakistan remains a major force in world cricket, and since the entire World Cup’s revenue can’t compare to the profit from one Pakistan India match, the ICC never dares cancel that fixture. Each second of advertising during that game earns millions that’s why in every ICC event both teams are in same group.

Bangladesh doesn’t bring in that kind of money, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated differently. Their board deserves the same respect as others. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is right in arguing that if the BCCI, bowing to extremists’ pressure, could drop their only Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL citing security concerns, then how can it now guarantee security for an entire team during the World Cup?

The ICC deliberately delayed the matter to later claim that time had run out. But if they can now make last-minute arrangements for Scotland, why couldn’t they have done the same for Bangladesh in Sri Lanka? During COVID times, most teams traveled via chartered flights  was that impossible for the ICC? Could such a massive organization really not find hotels? The TV crews would have been in Sri Lanka anyway  there would have been no broadcast issues.

The real problem was India’s ego. Accommodating Bangladesh would have hurt it. And this decision will damage cricket deeply. The board meeting and subsequent voting exposed not only the hypocrisy of the “white” nations but also of our “own” regional allies. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan didn’t support Bangladesh either. The Western boards, who lecture others on principles, stayed silent  blinded by the lure of dollars and the profits from bilateral matches and the IPL.

However, I am proud that Pakistan took a principled stand and supported Bangladesh. We were the only board to vote in their favor and even wrote to the ICC about it. Statements from Mohsin Naqvi have suggested that Pakistan might even boycott the World Cup, which has left India uneasy. The Indian media has begun spreading fears about financial losses and possible sanctions to pressure Pakistan.

In my view, since we have already established the hybrid model and plan to play matches in Sri Lanka, withdrawing from the tournament entirely would not be an easy decision. But Pakistan should continue to support Bangladesh  demanding from the ICC that, since Bangladesh’s withdrawal was due to government orders, they should be compensated for their financial losses.

As for Pakistan, we want to play. The PCB has already announced the World Cup squad, but the decision ultimately depends on the government. If the government stops the team, participation will be impossible. The ball is now in the Prime Minister’s court  let’s see what he decides. Whatever happens, we will stand by our country.