Former England captain Michael Atherton has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider its policy of having India vs Pakistan matches in big tournaments, particularly after recent hostilities in the Men’s Asia Cup. The tournament culminated on September 28 with India winning the title against Pakistan in the final, but it was tainted with controversy and political overtones that overshadowed the sport.

In a column for The Times, Atherton conceded the economic and diplomatic benefits motivating such prestige matches but contended that the time had arrived to end them because of the deteriorating political bilateral relationship between the two nations. Atherton pointed out that since 2013, India and Pakistan have encountered each other in each ICC competition, with thi

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