Division Apparent with Asian Bloc over Champions Trophy

This was only a matter of time and bound to happen. The reluctance of teams like Australia and New Zealand are forcing the ICC into the corner. But the Asian bloc is not looking to give concessions either, even to its younger brother, Bangladesh. This umpire referral system is proving more difficult for the ICC. The Champions Trophy is proving to be a storm in the tea cup and one that could see cricket take the fall.

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With the non Asian forces pressing the ICC into rescinding on its decision on choosing Pakistan as host nation for the Champions Trophy, the ICC has been doing a round the clock job trying to convince them of the security measures in place. But the respective boards themselves appear helpless as their players are unwilling to call and unwilling to travel as well and are forcing the boards to make the decision on their behalf. While Australia and New Zealand have been more emphatic, England is following in their wake and South Africa simply waiting for matters to generate themselves to not have to take a stand.

However, the Asian bloc of countries, which has thus far remained silent in this comedy of tragedy, is now entering in dramatic way. While Sri Lanka remain on the ICC’s stand by contention more in keeping with the broadcasters who are perhaps willing to take a late call, India and Sri Lanka are now making rumbles that the Champions Trophy venue should remain Pakistan if it has to get going at all. What is being perceived as bullying tactics on the part of the non Asian countries is now being met eye-for-eye by these nations who are throwing in their weight behind their fellow Asian neighbour.

The cancellation of the tournament altogether is a major facedown for the ICC for its second more prestigious event after the World Cup. It will be a major blow for a tournament that is already facing pressure and the scrapping of this edition will only allow momentum to gather whether the Twenty20 league battles get stronger, jostling for place as they are and perhaps altogether do away with the much jinxed tournament in the future. The ICC has a lot riding on these events that generate greater interest worldwide and help promote the cause for globalization through their revenue. They have had to cut down on the teams participating to avoid turning the tournament into hogwash with plenty of one sided matches to deem it a less than worthy affair to take time out of a busy calendar.

Bangladesh, ranked ninth in the world putting them out of contention, are more than happy to replace the teams that are refusing to tour. But given that this particular edition of the tournament features the top eight teams, anything less than the best is a gamble for grabbing eyeballs and one that even the broadcasters may get into the fray for fear of loss in revenue via TRP’s.

What seemed like a straightforward issue of straightening things out has now snowballed into a potential point for conflict for power and the ICC, in making the crucial decision on Sunday, is well aware that the decision hinging on them will antagonize more than one entity. There is just no winning for the ICC!