ICC Backed Off, Not Pakistan: Ex-PCB Chief’s Bizarre Claim on India U-Turn
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Date: February 11, 2026
Islamabad | The Vagabond News
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has sparked fresh controversy in international cricket governance by claiming that the International Cricket Council—and not Pakistan—was responsible for retreating from its position in a high-profile India-related matter that later came to be described as an “India U-turn.”
Sethi made the remarks during a televised discussion that was subsequently carried by multiple Pakistani media outlets. His statement challenges the prevailing narrative that Pakistan softened its stance under pressure, instead placing responsibility squarely on the ICC’s decision-making process.
Claim Contradicts Established Public Account
According to Sethi, Pakistan maintained its position consistently, while the ICC adjusted its approach, leading to the outcome that benefited India. He asserted that Pakistan did not withdraw or compromise on its demands and that any perception of Islamabad backing down was incorrect.
The former PCB chief did not cite official ICC correspondence or minutes from ICC meetings to substantiate his claim. He framed his remarks as an informed assessment based on his experience in cricket administration rather than as a disclosure backed by newly released documentation.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not issued an official response to Sethi’s comments. Current PCB officials have so far avoided public engagement with the claim, and no clarification has been released to confirm or dispute his version of events.
Silence From ICC and Indian Cricket Authorities
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not commented on Sethi’s assertions. Indian cricket officials have also not addressed suggestions that the ICC altered its stance in India’s favour.
Similarly, the ICC has not released any statement responding to the former PCB chief’s remarks. Its publicly available communications on the issue remain unchanged, and no updated explanation or clarification has been posted on its official platforms.
Analysts Urge Caution
Cricket analysts and former administrators have urged caution in interpreting Sethi’s comments, noting that without documentary evidence or confirmation from the ICC, the claim cannot be independently verified. Some observers described the language used by the former PCB chief as unusually blunt for a former officeholder, while others said it reflected long-standing frustrations within Pakistan over how international cricket decisions are perceived to favour larger boards.
What is confirmed is that Najam Sethi made the statement publicly and that it has reignited debate over transparency and power dynamics within international cricket administration. What remains unconfirmed is whether the ICC formally “backed off” in the manner described, or whether the outcome resulted from broader consensus-building among member boards.
What Is Known — and What Is Not
It is established that a change in course occurred in the India-related cricket matter and that it has widely been labelled an India U-turn in public discourse. It is also confirmed that a former PCB chairman has attributed that shift to the ICC rather than Pakistan.
However, there is no official confirmation from the ICC, PCB, or Indian cricket authorities supporting this account. Until such clarification emerges, Sethi’s remarks stand as a personal claim rather than an officially verified explanation.
Sources:
– Statements by Najam Sethi to Pakistani media
– Public releases and records from the ICC and PCB
Tags: ICC, Pakistan Cricket Board, India cricket, cricket diplomacy, Najam Sethi
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