Exclusive: Former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif Questions ICC Credibility, Calls for Independent Governance

Former Pakistan captain, Rashid Latif, has questioned the International Cricket Council's (ICC) credibility amid the ongoing saga following the Government of Pakistan's direct instruction to the Pakistan Cricket Board not to take the field in their upcoming group fixture against India at this month's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Credibility Questioned

On Sunday, days before the commencement of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the Government of Pakistan released a statement in which they instructed the Pakistan Cricket Board to boycott their group fixture against India which was scheduled for 15 February in Sri Lanka, thus sending the whole cricketing community in a state of panic. 

The ICC released a statement of their own soon after, citing that such a decision would undermine the spirit and sanctity of the competition. 

Former Pakistan captain, Latif, in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, has questioned the ICC's credibility, citing that the sport's governing body is perceived as a proxy for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

Now, it is important to note that the BCCI, because of their money machine - the Indian Premier League - and sponsorships, contribute almost 80% of the revenue of the entire sport and take home almost 40% of it while the rest is distributed to the rest of the Member boards. 

"The credibility of the International Cricket Council has been substantially eroded, with growing perception that it functions as a proxy for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), or, at the very least, as an instrument susceptible to political influence," Latif stated. 

"This perception has been reinforced by public commentary, notably by Sharda Ugra, who has been quoted as characterising the ICC as, 'the BCCI’s Dubai office'."

Call For Independent Governance

Latif has called for the ICC to use the ongoing matter to reassert their dominance as an independent force. 

"Since the emergence of the BCCI as the dominant financial force within international cricket, the ICC has increasingly been viewed as having been relegated to the role of an event management entity, rather than that of an independent and principled global governing body," Latif told SportsBoom.com.

"Such a transformation undermines the foundational objectives of the ICC, particularly its responsibility to safeguard the collective interests of all Member Boards." 

"At this juncture, it is imperative that the ICC reassert its institutional independence, adopt a policy of inclusivity, and operate on genuinely democratic principles, free from disproportionate influence exerted by any single Member. Only through such recalibration can the ICC restore confidence in its governance framework."

Pakistan Matters

Latif reiterated that despite Pakistan's low current ranking in the IC T20 rankings, at seventh place, they deserve to be treated as an important member of the sport.

"While Pakistan may presently be ranked seventh in the ICC standings, its significance within the economic and commercial architecture of international cricket remains undeniable. The ICC must therefore accord equal value and respect to all Member Boards, irrespective of rankings or financial clout, and pursue a carefully negotiated settlement that upholds parity and institutional fairness," Latif emphasised. 

"Looking ahead to the next commercial cycle, the erosion of India–Pakistan marquee fixtures carries significant risk. Without these fixtures, the ICC may struggle to attract comparable commercial interest or secure favourable broadcast and sponsorship arrangements. It is therefore incumbent upon the ICC to act decisively to preserve the integrity and sustainability of its product."

"In conclusion, international cricket must be allowed to function without undue intervention, coercion, or dominance by the BCCI. The preservation of the sport’s global character demands governance that is balanced, independent, and equitable."

Earlier this year, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup after they refused to play their fixtures in India citing safety concerns.