Ensuring cricket remains politically neutral
**Cricket: The Gentleman’s Game and Recent Controversies in Asia Cup**
Cricket is often referred to as the game of gentlemen because of its core values of fairness, respect, and sportsmanship. The sport emphasizes integrity, honour, and discipline both on and off the field. However, the recent high-voltage Asia Cup encounter between Pakistan and India concluded on a sour note, raising questions about these very principles.
### Asia Cup Incident: Post-Match Handshakes and Complaints
After India’s convincing victory, the Indian players walked straight into their dressing room, avoiding the customary post-match handshake with their Pakistani opponents. They even closed the dressing room door immediately after their players returned. While shaking hands after a game is widely regarded as a gesture of sportsmanship, it is important to note that it is not mandatory for players. The ICC Code of Conduct does not have a clause penalizing players for skipping this customary gesture.
In the aftermath, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a complaint with the ICC against match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of violating rules related to the Spirit of Cricket. PCB claimed the referee had instructed the Pakistan and India captains not to shake hands during the toss. This alleged directive reportedly came from Pycroft, who communicated it to Pakistan captain Salman Agha, who then relayed it to India captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The PCB strongly protested, calling for the immediate removal of Pycroft, asserting that his actions undermined the spirit of the game and violated established protocols. They further alleged that these instructions were influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after consultation with the Indian government.
### Indian Team’s Stance and Political Overtones
After the match, the situation worsened when Indian players and staff also opted not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, confirmed that their decision was aligned with guidance from the Indian government and the BCCI. In his press conference, he stated, “We stand with the BCCI and the government. Some things in life are more important than sportsmanship.”
Experts argued that instead of focusing solely on the handshake issue, the PCB should have raised concerns regarding Yadav’s press conference, where he dedicated the victory to the Indian armed forces—an act seen as politicizing the sport.
### Resolution and Referee’s Controversial Past
Ahead of the decisive Pakistan-UAE game, the controversy was somewhat resolved when Zimbabwean referee Andy Pycroft apologized to the Pakistan team’s manager and captain for the incident.
Pycroft’s record concerning Pakistan has previously been contentious. Back in November 2014, he reported Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for a suspected illegal bowling action during a Test against New Zealand. Pycroft was also the match referee during the reporting of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in a Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Both cases stirred significant debate within the cricketing community.
### The ICC, Politics, and Perceptions of Bias
This is not the first time India has been accused of politicizing cricket. Earlier in May, ICC Chairman Jay Amitbhai Shah faced global criticism after posting a social media statement expressing solidarity with the Indian armed forces amid border tensions with Pakistan. The controversial post was later deleted but raised serious concerns about the impartiality expected of the ICC’s leadership.
Though officially the global governing body of cricket, the ICC is often referred to sarcastically as the “Indian Cricket Council,” reflecting India’s dominating influence in world cricket. The BCCI, being the wealthiest and most powerful cricket board, wields considerable financial and political clout, which many believe affects the ICC’s decisions.
### Team Protests and Political Messages in Cricket
Protests against ICC umpires or referees are not uncommon. For instance, during a 2008 series, India protested umpire Steve Bucknor’s decisions, leading to his removal from a Test match.
Additionally, international cricketers have faced fines, reprimands, or sanctions for political statements or gestures during matches. Examples include:
– England’s Moeen Ali being ordered to remove wristbands bearing “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” slogans during a 2014 Test.
– South African spinner Imran Tahir being warned for revealing a T-shirt honoring the late Pakistani singer Junaid Jamshed in a 2017 T20I.
– Australian opener Usman Khawaja being reprimanded for wearing a black armband and attempting to wear shoes with messages like “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” in 2023.
Interestingly, no Indian player or official has faced similar ICC sanctions despite multiple incidents involving political statements.
### The Need for Fairness and Transparency in Cricket Governance
The ICC has a crucial responsibility to ensure that cricket is governed fairly and equitably for all member boards. Its leadership must remain unbiased, fostering harmony and transparency in the cricketing world.
The prominence of the BCCI within the ICC has often fueled criticism of Indian dominance in global cricket affairs. Cricket should be free from political interference, with policies that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability across the entire cricket community. No individual, team, or national board should be above the law or receive preferential treatment.
### A Call for Collective Action
It is now time for all cricket boards worldwide to unite and demand that the ICC establish and enforce consistent and uniform policies that apply equally to all its members. Upholding the integrity of the game depends on equal treatment and strict adherence to universally applied rules and standards.
Only through collective commitment can cricket continue to embody its true spirit—a game of gentlemen that transcends boundaries and politics.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1345095-ensuring-cricket-remains-politically-neutral
