(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
BCCI Confirms Pakistan-India Matches Will Continue in ICC Tournaments
October 8, 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Pakistan-India matches will remain part of future ICC tournaments, despite increasing debate over the politicization of the rivalry.
According to Indian media, a senior BCCI official stated that there are no plans to separate the two teams in international competitions organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The official emphasized that such fixtures are vital for the global audience and sponsors, highlighting their commercial significance.
The comments came after former England captain Michael Atherton, writing in The Times (UK), urged the ICC to avoid engineered high-profile clashes and adopt transparent fixture draws. Atherton criticized the growing perception that the iconic rivalry is being used for commercial purposes rather than sporting spirit.
He noted that the excitement of the Pakistan-India contests, once celebrated for cricketing excellence, has now become overshadowed by off-field tensions. Atherton’s remarks follow the Asia Cup 2025, where the two sides met three times in closely watched matches filled with on-field drama.
A BCCI official, however, dismissed the idea of avoiding such encounters, saying, “It’s easy to make suggestions, but sponsors and broadcasters have major stakes. Without marquee matches, tournaments lose viewership appeal.”
The Pakistan-India rivalry remains a key part of the ICC’s broadcast deal, reportedly valued at around $3 billion for the 2023–27 cycle. Since 2013, both teams have met in the group stages of every ICC event, with each game attracting record global audiences.
While critics believe the frequent encounters may have reduced the uniqueness of the rivalry, others argue that these matches continue to be the highlight of international cricket.
As things stand, another Pakistan-India face-off could take place in the upcoming T20 World Cup, promising another chapter in cricket’s most followed rivalry.
