In a sport that claims to celebrate global growth, the powerful Indian and English cricket boards (BCCI and ECB) have once again shown their true colors — and it’s anything but progressive. Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports has proposed an ambitious £400 million investment to launch a global T20 league, backed by the might of Aramco. But rather than embracing new markets and fans, the BCCI and ECB are lobbying to shut the doors on this venture before it can even take off.
During the Leeds Test, the two boards agreed not to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players if the Saudi League goes ahead. This move effectively blocks some of the biggest cricket stars from participating — raising serious questions about their commitment to the global game.
While they argue there are already “too many tournaments”, the reality is simple: these boards fear losing commercial control. After all, they have happily expanded their own T20 leagues while gatekeeping opportunities for players elsewhere. Ironically, Cricket Australia, which cries for more private investment, seems to be the only Big Three member backing the Saudis — but for purely financial reasons.
Saudi Arabia’s plan to host four Grand Slam–style tournaments a year could revolutionize the sport’s reach, bringing fresh money and fans into cricket’s ecosystem. But unless the ICC shows real backbone, the same old power brokers will keep emerging markets like Saudi Arabia dependent and sidelined.
Pakistan’s cricket fans know too well how unfairly power is wielded in global cricket politics. As the kingdom moves to join the T20 revolution, the world should ask: Who really wants cricket to grow — and who only wants to keep it in their pockets?
