The Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif proposed establishing an international cricket organization on Tuesday February 3 because he believed Indian political power currently controls the International Cricket Council. His comments emerged during a renewed conflict between the two countries which started before the T20 World Cup 2026. The Pakistan government announced earlier this week that it had authorized its men's national team to compete in the upcoming World Cup which India and Sri Lanka will co-host from February 7. The announcement confirmed that Pakistan would not play against India on February 15 but the organization did not provide specific reasons for this decision. The ICC responded to the announcement by stating that Pakistan's position did not benefit international cricket or global fanbase including Pakistan's millions of fans. Pakistan disagrees with the ICC because it did not accept Bangladesh's request to move its matches from India to different locations because of security concerns about rising political tensions between Delhi and Dhaka. The cricket sport derives its main financial support from Indian markets which provides India with major power in cricket governance. Critics believe this financial power translates into significant control at the ICC. The Indian Premier League (IPL) operates as the world’s most valuable T20 tournament which generates most of its revenue for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Daily Mirror Online reported that the IPL will generate $1.15 billion from 2024 to 2027 which will provide the ICC with almost 39 percent of its annual earnings. Read also: IPL 2026: 4 Players SRH Can Target If Pat Cummins is Ruled Out Jay Shah serves as the current president of the ICC because his father Indian Home Minister Amit Shah holds that position. The chair must operate autonomously from national boards while making impartial decisions. Ongoing political disputes between India and Pakistan as well as their diplomatic tensions currently disrupt cricket activities. The two countries entered a four-day military standoff during May of the previous year. The strain was visible during the September 2025 Asia Cup, when Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers. The teams competed in three matches which India won while they chose not to exchange handshakes before or after the match. India and Pakistan have not contested a full bilateral series since 2012–13 due to political disputes, meeting mostly at neutral venues.