Wisden has criticised Indian political interference in global cricket administration, labelling the current situation “increasingly Orwellian”.

The UK-based Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, which dates back to 1864, is an annual record of all major cricket worldwide and is regarded as the sport’s “Bible”.

In its 163rd annual edition, to be published on Thursday, editor Lawrence Booth highlighted what he sees as an unhealthy and politicised Indian dominance of the global game.

The International Cricket Council has an Indian chief executive, Sanjog Gupta, and an Indian chairman, Jay Shah, who is the son of Amit Shah, India’s minister of home affairs and a longstanding ally of the prime minister, Narendra Modi.

Wisden describes the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which Shah led before taking over at the International Cricket Council (ICC), as “the sporting adjunct of India’s ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)”.

Booth also highlighted how politics intruded upon the 2025 Asia Cup, which took place against a backdrop of a brief military conflict between India and Pakistan, leading to the players refusing to shake hands when the rivals played each other.

“Was there a clearer indictment of the game’s governance in 2025 than Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s assertion that ‘politics and sport can’t go together’?” Booth wrote. “Presumably, he had forgotten he was also his country’s interior minister.”

Booth added: “It was obvious long before this latest grandstanding that the BCCI were the sporting adjunct of India’s ruling BJP.”

‘Indian exceptionalism’

“But the relationship became explicit when India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the first of India’s Asia Cup wins over Pakistan to the armed forces.

“And the idea that cricket was now a legitimate proxy for more lethal activity was hammered home on X by India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, after his country beat Pakistan in the final: ’Operation Sindoor on the games field’.”

Booth also cited the case of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was released from a $1 million deal with Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders — amid rising tensions between the two nations following the killing of Hindu men in Bangladesh.

Mustafizur’s exit from the IPL sparked a chain of events that led to Bangladesh’s removal from this year’s men’s T20 World Cup, after their government refused to let them travel to India.

“The sport’s governance grows ever more Orwellian, pretending that Indian exceptionalism comes without consequence, and blaming those lower down the food chain for lashing out.

“Predictably, almost no prominent voices in the Indian game addressed the root cause of the carnage: the politicisation of a sport that, whatever Naqvi may say, has never been untouched by the real world, yet never more poisoned by it either.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday barred Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In a statement, the cricket board said that after a thorough disciplinary review, Muzarabani was declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the tournament, effective immediately.

“This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honour agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league,” it said.

Although the press release did not make specific mention of the agreement, ESPNcricinfo reported last month that Muzarabani, who was slated to play for Islamabad United, would not be doing so after securing a deal in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“The PCB maintains that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement,” the cricket board said.

In the statement, the PCB said that, “once essential terms — including remuneration and structure — are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed”.

It maintained that an attempt to “move away from such commitments without valid cause is a violation of contractual obligations and principles of good faith that govern global professional sports”.

PCB further held that the PSL’s integrity was dependent on the “consistent and ethical behaviour of all participants”.

PCB also cited a statement by the PSL in which the franchise stressed the need for professionalism.

“Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game,” PCB quoted PSL as saying.

It added that the action could potentially “erode the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements.“

The statement noted that the two-year ban was “a necessary measure to safeguard the professional environment of the PSL”.

“The PSL remains dedicated to ensuring that the league remains a platform where contractual certainty is respected and where the actions of all players and agents reflect the prestige of the tournament,” the statement read.

The franchise further stated that while it took into account the “complexities of modern cricket schedules, it will not compromise on the ethical framework that ensures fairness to the franchises and the integrity of the league’s recruitment processes”.

“The two-year ban reflects the gravity of the breach,” it concluded.

MILAN: Inter Milan put one hand on the Serie A title on Sunday after coming back from two goals down to win 4-3 in a thrilling match at Como and move nine points clear of Napoli.

Trailing by two in the dying moments of the first half due to goals from Alex Valle and youthful virtuoso Nico Paz, Inter looked set to give champions Napoli hope their Scudetto defence might still be alive.

But Marcus Thuram brilliantly poked home Nicolo Barella’s cross in stoppage time at the end of the opening half before the France forward pounced on a mix-up between Como goalkeeper Jean Butez and defender Marc-Oliver Kempf to loop home the leveller moments after the break.

Denzel Dumfries bulleted home Hakan Calhanoglu’s perfectly-delivered free-kick in the 58th minute and then completed the turnaround at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia by coolly guiding home Manuel Akanji’s knock-down 14 minutes later.

With six matches remaining in the season Inter now have a near-unassailable lead at the top of the table, while Como’s first defeat in two months left them outside the Champions League positions.

Pressed by DAZN into declaring that the title was already sewn up, Inter midfielder Barella simply said “let’s wait a little while”, and Dumfries was equally evasive.

“Today was a great win but every match counts and we have to stay focussed,” said Dumfries, who has missed a huge chunk of this season with injuries.

Como battled to the end with Lucas Da Cunha’s late penalty, for a soft foul on Paz by Ange-Yoan Bonny, nearly being followed up by a last-gasp leveller when Alberto Moreno smashed the crossbar from close range.

“Today my team showed me that we’re capable of and played with desire and courage,” said Como coach Cesc Fabregas. “Yes we made mistakes. We’re a young team, and when you do, these teams will punish you. That’s the way it is.”

Juventus have taken Como’s place in the top four of Italy’s top flight, a disappointment after a superb first half in which Paz was the star of the show with a brilliant 11th goal of the season and the saved shot which led to Valle’s opener.

Inter are scheduled to face Cagliari at home on Friday. They will then host Como next Tuesday for the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final after their first meeting ended in a goalless draw.

Despite the setback Como, who have never played European football, remain in contention for a Champions League qualifying berth. Fabregas said he remains focused on performance rather than the immediate standings.

“I don’t know what position we are in the table, because I haven’t checked since the start of the season and Im not going to now,” Fabregas said. “I just say that it was a good performance and we don’t stop now. There are six rounds to play plus the Coppa Italia, and well see where we end up.”

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2026