The much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup is back on track, much to the relief of fans, broadcasters and cricket administrators. The very uncertainty that briefly surrounded the match underscores how fragile cricket’s global governance has become. Earlier the Bangladesh cricket board refused to allow its players to play in Kolkata and Mumbai which caused all the drama. Pakistan's anxieties over losing their international cricket links may have led to an awakening about the need to be in the sport for its players and its people who make a substantial fan base in their millions. Cricket in the subcontinent continues to be vulnerable to political conflict, security fears and trust deficit. The lesson for all stakeholders, however, is obvious: let cricket take centre stage; otherwise, the sport will keep falling prey to the games politicians play. Cricket, historically dominated by a handful of nations, cannot aspire to global stature while remaining confined to traditional powerhouses. The T20 format, with its shorter duration and unpredictable nature, has proven to be the ideal vehicle for expanding the sport’s footprint.
