Former England cricketer SLAMS ICC for FIXING India vs Pakistan matches in mega events

Former England cricketer David Lloyd slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for purposely fixing India versus Pakistan fixtures in ICC events. During the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 edition, being held in West Indies and the USA, India and their arch-rivals were placed in Group A and locked horns in New York on June 9, where Rohit Sharma & Co. won by 6 runs. Lloyd expressed his displeasure with the ICC fixing games, which as per him is just 'trying to manipulate' the audience. Further, Lloyd also lashed out at the governing body for keeping different rules for both the T20 WC semifinals and asked why India do not have a single day-night encounter in the 20-nation showpiece tournament.

During a chat on TalkSPORT, Lloyd -- who represented England in 9 Tests and 8 ODIs -- was asked if the ICC should prevent formatting its major tournaments in a way that India and Pakistan are bound to face-off at least once – basically by puttingthemin the same group.

'You're just trying to manipulate. It's just wrong'

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In this regard, Lloyd (fondly known as 'Bumble'), said, "We talk long and hard about fixing in cricket. That's fixed. It's just fixed for a major event. I think the romance of anything like this if they do get drawn together – not that they are – but if they do, there is a romance to it. There's something for spectators to look forward to. So if it happens, then it becomes an event. The game itself is an event. You can't fix it. And that's only part of what we fix. We fix loads to stuff. In this particular World Cup, you're just trying to manipulate. It's just wrong."

Further, Lloyd also pointed out the different rules for both the T20 WC semifinals. Notably, the Afghanistan versus South Africa semifinal, on Wednesday in Trinidad (June 26, local time), has a reserve day in place. However, the same isn't the case for the second semifinal, featuring India and England, on Thursday (June 27) in Guyana. In case of rain delay, it has four hours of extra time without any overs lost.

In addition, India have not played a single day-night game in the tournament, solely to suit theIndian audiences back home. Thus, Lloyd termed all this 'unfair'.

The Englishman stated, "It just isn't fair (to other teams). You can go round and round and talk about forever. We're just manipulating the tournament for the benefit of a few. If you look at the TV audience in India, they would watch anything there and anytime. It is a religion. It is the be all and end all. They would watch it and so it must of such commercial value, that overrides the competition itself."

Lloyd added, "And don't tell me the ICC devises it. Who does it? Whoever it is, this operating group must be told that whilst you're doing it, this must happen, that must happen and that it's a bit unfair to the teams. Come up with the best World Cup you can, you can put together for the supporter."