“Was ICC sleeping?” - Kamran Akmal slams ICC for its alleged bias towards India

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its alleged bias towards India, adding that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shouldn’t back down from boycotting the group-stage game against India.

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For the unversed, on Sunday, February 1, the Pakistan government allowed the Pakistan team to take part in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign but has denied permission for the team to play against their arch-rivals, India. 

Notably, the two teams are scheduled to lock horns with each other on Sunday, February 15, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. However, the ICC has revealed that it is yet to receive official confirmation from the PCB.

“PCB should not back down. The ICC has told the Pakistan Cricket Board to reconsider its stance of boycotting the India game. Was the ICC sleeping when the Asia Cup was played under the hybrid model? Was the ICC sleeping when India said it would not play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and would only play at a neutral venue?” Kamran Akmal said on the Game Plan show.

“How many times has Pakistan played in India despite the heightened tensions between the two countries? I have gone myself. The ICC should have thought about these things three years ago. The two countries have not played a bilateral series for years now. Wasn’t that also politics?” he added.

“Shouldn’t the ICC have thought of ending the politics then? The PCB’s decision should be respected in the same way that we respected India’s decision to play in a hybrid model. Things had reached extreme levels. During the Asia Cup, they refused to shake hands with our players and then refused to accept the trophy. They disrespected us,” he concluded.

If Pakistan boycotts the India game in the upcoming mega event, it could result in losses amounting to nearly a whopping USD 250 million for all stakeholders involved, which is roughly around INR 2200 Crore.

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