Former Sri Lankan player Arjuna Ranatunga’s comments about the ICC being a “toothless tiger” and acting unprofessionally made headlines. He has been critical of the governing body in the past as well, but his latest remarks come in the wake of the ACC’s decision to add a reserve day specifically for the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match.
Ranatunga believes that this decision sets a dangerous precedent and that the ICC is not doing enough to protect the integrity of the game. He is also concerned that the ICC is giving too much weight to the financial interests of the Indian board.
Ranatunga’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts. Some people agree with him that the ICC is not doing enough to protect the integrity of the game, while others believe that the decision to add a reserve day for the India vs Pakistan match was justified.
“ICC is a toothless tiger. They act very unprofessionally. I think they are the ones who should protect cricket. Ultimately cricket should be controlled by ICC and not by a country. In Asia Cup, you had rules and you changed rules for one game. So where is ACC? Where is ICC?,” Ranatunga was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. ”So I will not be surprised if for World Cup, they have a separate rule for Indo-Pak game. This is bad. India is powerful, no doubt, but then ICC officials are quite comfortable, happy putting coat and tie and hanky and going to meetings.”
“Why did they play in Colombo when you have places like Hambantota? That ground was built to play cricket during the rainy season.. Why do the other countries allow that (poor scheduling) to happen?… Because the BCCI is powerful, or one particular person is powerful. No, it can’t happen like that,” he concluded.
Here are some of the reasons why Ranatunga’s comments are significant:
1. Ranatunga is a former World Cup-winning captain and one of the most respected figures in cricket.
2. His comments come at a time when the ICC is facing increasing criticism for its handling of the game.
3. The India vs Pakistan match is one of the most popular and high-profile cricket matches in the world.
4. The decision to add a reserve day specifically for this match has raised concerns about fairness and equality.
Here are some of the arguments in favour of the ICC’s decision:
1. The India vs Pakistan match is a high-stakes match and there is a lot of pressure on the players.
2. Adding a reserve day reduces the risk of the match being abandoned due to bad weather.
3. This ensures that fans get to see the match and that the teams have a fair chance to win.
4. The ICC has also added reserve days for other high-profile matches, such as the World Cup final.
Here are some of the arguments against the ICC’s decision:
1. Adding a reserve day specifically for the India vs Pakistan match sets a dangerous precedent.
2. It suggests that the ICC is giving more weight to the financial interests of the Indian board than to the integrity of the game.
3. It is unfair to other teams who may not have the same level of resources or influence.
It could lead to a situation where reserve days are only added for matches involving the biggest teams.
Conclusion
The ICC’s decision to add a reserve day specifically for the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match is a controversial one. There are valid arguments on both sides of the debate.
Ultimately, it is up to the ICC to decide what is in the best interests of the game. The ICC needs to be careful to ensure that it does not set a precedent that could undermine the integrity of the game in the long term.
Additional thoughts
In addition to the above, I would like to add that Ranatunga’s comments are significant because they come from a former player who has a deep understanding of the game and its culture. His criticisms of the ICC are based on his own experiences and observations.
It is also important to note that Ranatunga is not the only one who has criticized the ICC in recent years. Many other cricket fans and experts have expressed concerns about the governing body’s handling of the game.
The ICC needs to take these criticisms seriously and work to address the concerns of its stakeholders. If it does not, it risks losing the trust and support of the cricket community.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates
