The ICC is basically a spineless institution.Contrary to what some people think it does not have any mala-fide intentions,its biggest problem is that it tries to please everybody-Asian bloc,non Asian bloc,players,officials,sponsors,BCCI,MCC,purists,revolutionaries.... Ultimately they end up not pleasing anybody and making a mess out of practically everything. The CT situation was quite simple-either Pakistan's safe or its not safe.If u feel its safe say it and let the event take place.If its not safe say it and change the venue.Simple as that.Butunfortunately ICC's best at beating about the bush and creating confusion and thats what they did again.

I don't why everyone is going after the BCCI.As vinchester very rightly points out Pakistan did a good job of hosting the Asia cup,moreover I have not heard of any cricketing activities being disrupted in Pakistan due to terrorism(terrorists too seem to target politicians and ccommon people,not cricketers).Pak promised to give the visiting teams presidential level of security,if people still feel that its not safe enough then it basically means that Pak is not a country fit to govern itself(maybe UN should do something about it). BCCI's only fault is that it feels that Pak is safe.If BCCI was really calling the shots then we would have seen the CT being played in Pak and all teams being forced to participate or else face huge financial sebacks.

What did the ICC gain by postponing the Champions Trophy. Nothing, because I am sure in the next schedule, the same story is going to be repeated. On the other hand, the ICC should have been firm and insisted that the invited countries take part or face the consequences. After all there were some players from non-Asian countries who were willing to play in Pakistan. Yes there is terrorism in Pakistan, but which country as of today is free from it? Further as of date, there has been no instance of play being cancelled/called off because of a terrorist strike. The successful staging of the Asia Cup was a feather in Pakistan's cap, which the ICC should have noted, while deciding on the Champions Trophy.

Thanks arculush for your advise. I will keep it under future consideration. As proud I am in presenting my supposedly "bigoted" opinions, I am glad to see a new development that I never witnessed earlier. Its the comments in support of Asian Bloc (India in particular), every time an article bashing Asian (read Indian) leadership is being published. My advice to the writers is, 'remember its all relative'. After all, there are people who hate George Washington, and then there are people who revere him. It all depends on which side you are looking at it from. But, as a writer you dont have that freedom. You are expected to be far more equitable.

A thoughtful and relevant article Ian. ICC needs strong leadership that should rise above politics. Currently it is riddled with politics which does not bode well for Cricket. The decision to postpone the Champions Trophy to next year but leaving the venue in Pakistan is illogical and lacks common sense. This simply Isn't Cricket.Let us discuss the issue in cold blooded manner. Cricket is traditionally a "gentleman's sport". Why should such a sport be played by any participating countries under the threat of terrorist attacks? Recently Mrs. Bhutto was shot dead in Pakistan, Musharaf forced to resign and possibly a coup is in the offing. Exploding bombs are killing locals every week. Why should foreign players risk their safety just to play Cricket in Pakistan? ICC members must serve the interests of Cricket and not indulge in self serving politics if ICC is to remain the "controlling" body for Cricket. Why not put some retired top class Cricketer to lead ICC instead of "politicians".

Arculush is correct, as is MrUmp. Since when is the largest revenue earner in a sport allowed to rule it? Brazil doesn't rule soccer? Cricket is a unique sport with a great history of sportsmanship. What we're seeing from the BCCI now is insufferable arrogance and bombast. They are behaving like power-mad kids with zero maturity. This is simply unacceptable. The rest of the major countries, plus SL, are more than capable of getting on with the game if India wants to play only with itself, Pakistan and BD. Lets bring it on, I say! I'd far rather watch more test cricket among the rest, with considerably less 20-20 which is an abomination to the game. Trekking around India is a real trial for touring countries, vast distances, often poor transport and poorer hotels and food. I'm willing to wager that India and its cronies wouldn't last one season playing among themselves! They'll soon be back, knocking at the door. They will be allowed back, but India will not play the bully again.

Why blame the ICC for poor umpiring in the last World Cup final? "It's hard to expect young players to have such high ideals if they are constantly seeing the game devalued." Source this blog. Devaluation is about fixtures and cash. This debate is all about cash, and political positioning. If someone thinks the world would be a better place without the existing and new cricketing nations, they clearly are unfit to lead, manage or be custodians of any game let alone cricket.

Lofty priciples and market realities rarely cospire together. It is clear that the power shift is now complete. But it is only a recent phenomenon. How far (without Kerry Packer's influence) was cricket taken in the years before BCCI became powerful? The need of the hour is to accept India's domination instead of pointing fingers and utilise energies to find common, mutually benificial ways of moving forward. By this I mean finding ways to keep most boards and most cricketers happy. Saving the game? Cricket is stronger than one may feel. We dont need Bradman to remind us of that one.

As usual a very good article and as usual a lot of India and Asia baiting in a subtle sort of way.Most of the writing emanating out of the "Other Half" of the cricketing world is largely on the following grounds 1. ICC is being torn asunder 2. Too much money spoiling the game 3. Younger players will get bedazzled by all the moolah All of this begs the following questions 1. Isnt the ICC (the ineffective body that it is)pushed to the corner on almost all issues and of late most issues have seen the polarisation of Asian nations against others the question to be asked is what are the provocations 2. Too much money they say, but strangely these very same "custodians" of the game were silent when one Mr Packer was doing the very same thing, infact then and not now the cricketing world was actually torn apart. 3. National pride, Test Cricket, bedazzling of the young and impressionable cricketers are all bogey's being raised simply because the so called controllers of the game have lost.

It seems quite clear that the PCB and BCCI are more interested in throwing their weight around in response to perceived (but entirely imaginary) oppression by the Western nations. Accordingly, I say we let them get on with it and we can get on with putting cricket first. They will soon come crawling when they realise that playing against the Australian, England, West Indies, Sri Lankan, New Zealand and South African teams is much more intriguing than simply playing each other over and over again, with the odd series against Bangladesh. In other words, it's time to call their bluff - cricket survived for hundreds of years without the Indian TV sponsorship money and it can easily do so again, if necessary.