David Lloyd criticizes ICC for pre-determining India vs Pakistan matches
Former England cricketer David Lloyd has strongly criticized the ICC for prioritizing commercial interests over fair competition. He suggests the ICC should focus on creating a fair experience for all participating teams and fans.
Lloyd’s criticism centers on the consistent scheduling of India vs Pakistan matches in major tournaments. Since 2013, these two teams have always been drawn into the same group stages of every ICC event, including the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.
While acknowledging the high fan appeal of these clashes, Lloyd argues that such deliberate scheduling removes the element of chance from the draw process. Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said, “We talk long and hard about fixing in cricket. That’s fixed. The romance of anything like this is if they do get drawn together… there’s something for spectators to look forward to. So if it happens, then it becomes an event. You can’t fix it.”
Lloyd also criticized the scheduling inconsistencies of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. He pointed out the unfair burden on teams with tight turnarounds between matches, with some teams even lacking rest days altogether. He highlighted that, unlike the upcoming India vs England semi-final, the South Africa vs Afghanistan clash has a designated reserve day.
Additionally, Lloyd noted that India’s fixtures have been scheduled during prime-time hours in their home region, seemingly influenced by television viewership figures.