Former English Captain Calls Out ‘Biased’ ICC For Favoring India in the T20 World Cup

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T20 World Cup

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has accused the ICC of favouring India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 schedule. He alleges that the tournament is completely centred around India, and the semifinal fixture was adjusted to suit prime-time viewers in the Indian subcontinent.

T20 World Cup: Michael Vaughan lashes out at ICC

Vaughan expressed anger at the ICC’s management of the T20 World Cup 2024 schedule. He highlighted how Afghanistan’s team players faced challenges due to a flight delay, which affected their practice and familiarity with the new venue.

The controversy centres around the semifinal matchups. While the Afghanistan vs. South Africa match had a reserve day to handle rainy weather, the England vs. India clash in Guyana did not have a reserve day. This decision meant that if the India vs. England match got washed out, India would directly qualify for the finals due to their higher Super 8 group stage finish.

Vaughan’s statement echoes accusations that the entire T20 World Cup was geared toward India. He pointed out that the semifinal originally scheduled for Guyana should have been the one involving India, but it was moved to favour India’s prime-time audience.

The indirect favouritism given to India in the semifinal match has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that the ICC prioritized TV viewership in India over fair play and competitive balance.

The T20 World Cup 2024 has faced scrutiny for its scheduling choices, with allegations of favouritism toward India. As cricket fans eagerly await the semifinals, the controversy surrounding the fixture adjustments continues to spark debate.

Also Read: Could England consider picking Tom Hartley for his debut match against India in the semis?