Former England captain Michael Atherton has launched a scathing critique of the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of prioritising commercial gain over sporting integrity. Writing in The Times, Atherton condemned the ICC's practice of deliberately scheduling India-Pakistan clashes in major tournaments, calling instead for a transparent, merit-based fixture process.

Atherton argued that the high-voltage encounters between the two nations, while immensely lucrative, undermine the essence of fair competition. He highlighted the ICC's apparent tendency to capitalise on the rivalry's marketability, with fixtures seemingly crafted to maximise viewership and revenue.

"Despite its scarcity (maybe, in part, because of its scarcity), it is a fixture that carries huge

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