Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has launched a strong critique of the International Cricket Council, warning that the global governing body risks losing its relevance if it continues to function under what he described as the dominance of the Indian cricket board. Speaking to the media at a public function, Ajmal questioned the ICC’s ability to take independent and impartial decisions in the interest of world cricket. As quoted by PTI, Ajmal said the council’s existence would be pointless if it cannot assert its authority. “If the ICC can’t enforce its decisions on the Indian board then its very existence is unnecessary,” he said.
Ajmal claimed that many Test-playing nations privately share this view but are reluctant to speak openly about it. He argued that the ICC’s agreement with India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, even during global tournaments, exposes the governing body’s lack of control. “There is no logical reason for India not to play in Pakistan but the ICC is helpless because it is dominated by Indians now,” Ajmal alleged. India’s refusal to tour Pakistan is based on security concerns and the Indian government’s decision not to approve bilateral sporting ties between the two countries. As a result, India-Pakistan cricket has been restricted to ICC white-ball events and has taken place only at neutral venues. Relations between the two nations deteriorated further last year following the Pahalgam terror attack, pushing bilateral cricket ties to their lowest point. Ajmal’s remarks come at a time when the ICC is headed by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, a factor that has often been cited by critics questioning the balance of power within global cricket administration.
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