‘A mess’ — how cricket’s power dynamics are playing out in a congested calendar

Avoidance of the head-on collision between India’s unblinking refusal to play in Pakistan and the latter’s refusal to accept a hybrid model seemed possible, allowing preparations to proceed. (AFP)
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Updated 12 December 2024
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‘A mess’ — how cricket’s power dynamics are playing out in a congested calendar

  • The game gives the appearance of having been hijacked by national, commercial and self-interests

Over the past two weeks this column has observed the storm clouds gathering menacingly above the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Mostly, they gave dim hope of clearance. Suddenly, on Dec. 6, they rolled back and light seemed to shine through.

Avoidance of the head-on collision between India’s unblinking refusal to play in Pakistan and the latter’s refusal to accept a hybrid model seemed possible, allowing preparations to proceed.

India’s inalienable position, based on security fears, provided it with the balance of negotiating power, quite apart from its commercial strength. Pakistan backed itself into a corner by failing to accept the hybrid model. Under that proposal, India will play its matches on neutral territory, possibly the UAE.

Pakistan’s logic for denial was expressed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who, in discussion with chair of the Pakistan Cricket Broad and Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi, said: “Pakistan’s honor comes first, and everything else follows.”

The only way out of this deadlock, other than the nuclear options of postponement, cancellation or total change of location, was a shift in stance. The first was the PCB’s suggestion that its players would not be safe in India. This was rebuffed by India, as Pakistan played there in 2023. Secondly, the PCB proposed an extended hybrid model by which Pakistan would not travel to India to play in two future ICC tournaments hosted there — the Women’s 2025 ODI World Cup and 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted with Sri Lanka. In these tournaments, the PCB seeks to be treated on the basis of equality and respect.

This translates into repudiation of “one-sided arrangements,” whereby Pakistan traveled to play in ICC events in India, such as the 2023 ODI World Cup, but India did not reciprocate by playing in Pakistan. It is a bold call, seeking to challenge India’s pre-eminent position in cricket’s power politics.

Some may argue that it is overdue. It is unlikely the PCB has forgotten the humiliation which it suffered in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the 2023 ODI World Cup group match. The 132,000-capacity arena was populated entirely by blue shirted, partisan Indians.

It seems a little bit of respect might resolve the issue but it is slow to emerge. In an attempt to have the extended hybrid model codified, the PCB is understood to have requested a written assurance from the ICC that it would be implemented for events to be hosted by India up to 2027. The request has caused ridicule on Indian social media and an impasse in relations between parties.

There have been abundant behind the scenes meetings, cancelled meetings, negotiations and discussions between ICC and country board members. The crisis is a drama featuring a new chair and a new order at the ICC, entwinement of board chairs and politicians, deep, long-lasting nationalist pride and sentiment, power and influence and, not least, money, driven by broadcasting contracts.

Somewhere in all of this lies the game. Cricket gives the appearance of having been hijacked by national, commercial and self-interests. The ICC’s outgoing chair does little to dispel that judgement.

Greg Barclay was in post for four years. During his tenure, the international game has become impossibly congested, a “mess” in his words. Even he admitted being unable to keep abreast of all the matches and tournaments taking place simultaneously.

The feeling is shared. This is the price of growth, so coveted by the game. It is not going away because there is nothing to stop it, other than the removal of funding.

Earlier in the year, Barclay described the ICC as not fit for purpose, a remarkably forthright indictment of the impotency of the organization he led. The view seems to be based on concerns over an outdated financial model which may fail to generate sufficient funds to sustain growth.

Furthermore, internal change is hampered by an imbalanced structure which comprises 12 full members and 96 associates, each with an agenda, three more dominant than the others and possessing superior voting rights. The ICC is unlikely to dissolve itself, so the future lies along the same structure but now with a highly connected Indian in charge.

In this context, Pakistan’s lone wolf approach must be judged. Naqvi has said: “We will do whatever’s best for cricket” and “We need to settle this once and for all.” What may be best for cricket can be interpreted in several ways. Attempting to curb India’s power may be one. A lack of desire to rock the boat too energetically in return for some respect may be another. Recognition that the only real solution is a hybrid model tempered by commensurate compensation for Pakistan is most plausible.

Meanwhile, the tournament’s schedule is still to be released. The parting of clouds was temporary and the ICC was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. In that vacuum, mischief appeared on Dec. 9 in a promotional feature released by the tournament broadcaster, Star Sports, which failed to mention Pakistan as the host nation. Unsurprisingly, social media tensions were inflamed to boiling point.

Despite Pakistan’s push back, the power balance remains firmly with India. The national and diplomatic tensions between the two spill over into relations between the respective cricket boards. Having been granted hosting rights, Pakistan has its pride and aspiration to protect, as well as infrastructure investment. In attempting to exercise its rarely given hosting rights, it has challenged the status quo, a risky venture.

A believer in conspiracy theory might suggest that India laid a trap by delaying, or being allowed to delay, its decision not to travel to Pakistan until the last minute. Pakistan does seem trapped, assailed by Indian media. It stands to lose heavily if it does not participate in the tournament. Last week, common sense might have saved the situation. This week, respect is required to avoid Pakistan being shrugged off.

The mess to which Barclay referred is not limited to the international schedule. It clearly applies to the Champions Trophy.


Man City hope for Rodri return this season by listing Ballon d’Or winner in Champions League squad

Updated 07 February 2025
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Man City hope for Rodri return this season by listing Ballon d’Or winner in Champions League squad

  • Rodri has set a target of about April to return to play
  • The Champions League quarterfinals start April 8

MANCHESTER: Manchester City showed faith in Rodri potentially returning to action this season by registering the injured Ballon d’Or winner on Friday in their Champions League squad for the knockout phase.
UEFA set a midnight Thursday deadline to submit updated squad lists for European competitions. With a limit of three new signings in the midseason transfer window allowed, City left out teenage defender Vitor Reis who joined from Palmeiras last month.


Rodri has set a target of about April – “six to seven months” after tearing the ACL in his right knee against Arsenal on Sept. 22 – to return to play. The Champions League quarterfinals start April 8.
The English champion have a daunting task to stay in the competition until then without star midfielder Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan.
Man City face Real Madrid in a two-leg knockout playoff, next Tuesday and on Feb. 19. The winner will play either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
New signings who are included in coach Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Champions League are midfielder Nico Gonzalez — who can stand in for Rodri — forward Omar Marmoush, and defender Abdukodir Khusanov.


Saudi Arabia makes debut at Asian Winter Games as 9th edition begins

Updated 07 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes debut at Asian Winter Games as 9th edition begins

  • The event marks a milestone for Saudi Arabia, which is making its debut at the multi-sport competition as it gears up to host the 2029 Games

HARBIN, China: The 9th Asian Winter Games opened on Friday in Harbin, China, with a ceremony led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The event marks a milestone for Saudi Arabia, which is making its debut at the multi-sport competition as it gears up to host the 2029 Games. The Saudi Winter Sports Federation, originally established in 2019, was restructured in 2022 into two separate governing bodies: the Saudi Ice Sports Federation and the Saudi Snow Sports Federation.

The Kingdom’s delegation at the games is headed by Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, vice president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Member of the Executive Office of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The event runs until Feb. 18 and will feature around 1,500 athletes from 34 Asian countries. Among the Saudi participants, the Kingdom’s curling team is set to compete in five matches from Feb. 9 to 12 — facing off against teams from Qatar, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand — while three Saudi alpine skiers will compete in the slalom events: Fayik Abdi in the men’s, and Sharifa Al-Sudairi and Farhoud Joud in the women’s.

As the Kingdom continues to expand its sporting ambitions, its participation in the Asian Winter Games “represents another step in its broader vision to develop a competitive winter sports ecosystem on the international stage,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Celtic avoid fan ban for Bayern Champions League tie

Updated 07 February 2025
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Celtic avoid fan ban for Bayern Champions League tie

  • Celtic had received a suspended one-match ban on selling tickets for traveling fans
  • “We are pleased that UEFA has considered our detailed submission,” Celtic said

GLASGOW: Celtic fans will be able to attend the second leg of their Champions League play-off round tie away to Bayern Munich after being handed a UEFA reprieve.
The Scottish champions feared supporters would be banned after a green smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch from visiting fans during Celtic’s 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa last month.
Celtic had received a suspended one-match ban on selling tickets for traveling fans after a pyrotechnic display in their 7-1 Champions League thrashing by Borussia Dortmund in September.
However, they have escaped with a fine of 10,000 euros ($10,400, £8,340) for the lighting of fireworks and throwing of objects.
“As we had said previously, Celtic made every effort to ensure that our fans could attend this match, and we are pleased that UEFA has considered our detailed submission,” Celtic said in a statement.
“We can also confirm that the original suspended sentence remains in place, as a result of the previous use of pyrotechnics, most recently at the match against Borussia Dortmund, by a small minority of supporters.
“Again we must make it very clear that pyrotechnics have absolutely no place at our matches and should further incidents occur, then clearly, once again, there is an extremely high risk of our supporters not being permitted access to future matches.”


Amorim reveals the reasons why things didn't work out with Rashford at Man United

Updated 07 February 2025
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Amorim reveals the reasons why things didn't work out with Rashford at Man United

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim let Marcus Rashford leave the club because he couldn't convince the forward to follow his methods.
“I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said in quotes published late Thursday.
The 27-year-old Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan the day before Europe's winter transfer window closed, having not played for United since mid-December. He could make his debut for Villa on Sunday on an FA Cup match against Tottenham.
“Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different,” Amorim said.
“I just wish the best to Rashford and to (Villa manager) Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player.”
Asked whether Rashford said that he did not agree with Amorim’s ideas about soccer, Amorim said: “You know, like me, that it’s not the way that occurs.
“It’s something that you feel as a coach and as a player. It’s quite normal. It happened with a lot of coaches. The important thing is that I’m here saying that was my decision."
Amorim brushed aside talk of a potential return for Rashford at the end of the season.
Rashford's deal with Villa includes an option to make the move permanent for a reported 40 million pounds ($50 million).
"Like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer,” Amorim said.
“So, I am just focused on these games. Thankfully about Marcus, he is in Birmingham now with Unai, so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players at the moment.”


Iraq’s Hussein Salem to take on Italy’s Walter Cogliandro at ONE Championship in Qatar

Updated 07 February 2025
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Iraq’s Hussein Salem to take on Italy’s Walter Cogliandro at ONE Championship in Qatar

  • Other Arab fighters at ONE 171 include UAE’s Zayed Al-Katheeri, Kuwait’s Jarrah Al-Hazza, and Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi

DOHA: Iraq’s Hussein Salem will face Italian fighter Walter Cogliandro in a featherweight MMA bout at ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20.

Salem joins the UAE’s Zayed Al-Katheeri, Kuwait’s Jarrah Al-Hazza, and Morocco’s Ilias Ennahachi as representatives of Arab countries on the upcoming card of the ONE Championship event.

Salem, who is known in the UAE after participating in seven bouts at UAE Warriors, is one of Iraq’s top martial artists. The 32-year-old holds an 11-5 overall professional record.

Italy’s Cogliandro enters the bout after recent wins against UFC veterans Mark Striegl and Jordan’s Ali Al-Qaisi.

The event features two world title fights as Jonathan Haggerty defends the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing world title against Chinese veteran and No. 1 ranked Wei Rui while champion Joshua Pacio and interim champion Jarred Brooks meet for the third time in a ONE strawweight MMA world title unification bout.

ONE 171: Qatar kicks off at 5 p.m. Makkah time live from the Lusail Sports Arena.