Khushdil Shah, a Pakistan cricketer with 53 white-ball matches to his name, has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is biased towards India. The all-rounder has played against the Men in Blue thrice, twice in the Asia Cup 2022 and once in the Champions Trophy 2025, and believes India enters matches against Pakistan with an unfair advantage.
ICC umpires with India
Khushdil alleges that the umpires, who are under ICC contract at all international events, are biased towards India. However, one fails to understand how, with the advent of replays, the decision review system, and even mandated no-ball checks by the third umpire, decisions can go India’s way.
Laws and venues for India
The 31-year-old further stated that dressing room decisions are for India. By this, he perhaps means India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025, which stirred the pot. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blamed ICC match referee Andy Pycroft for Suryakumar Yadav’s refusal to shake Salman Ali Agha’s hand and even threatened a boycott. However, it didn’t happen.
Lastly, Khushdil said that matches are held at venues as per India’s desire. Perhaps he doesn’t remember that the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to play at neutral venues. That’s why India played in Dubai during the Champions Trophy 2025 and Pakistan in Sri Lanka during the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Things tend to go in their favour during matches. Umpiring decisions go in their favour, as do some dressing-room decisions, and even matches are held according to their wishes. Despite all that, when Pakistan wins, it’s especially enjoyable,” Khushdil said.
Wrong mindset
However, the all-rounder’s biggest mistake was stating that when Pakistan wins against India, it’s enjoyable. That’s because the Men in Green haven’t beaten the Men in Blue since September 2022. Khushdil played in that game and was unbeaten as Pakistan chased down 182. But since then, Pakistan has not beaten India. They are 9-0, with one washout.
India’s too strong a team and claiming that they win because of an ICC bias reflects poorly on Khushdil and Pakistan’s mindset. It seems they aren’t ready to accept that India is the best white-ball team in the world, despite all the evidence suggesting otherwise.
