Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam ul Haq has voiced his strong disapproval of the BCCI’s growing dominance in global cricket. Speaking on a Pakistani TV channel, Inzamam urged cricketing boards worldwide to unite against the BCCI, calling for a boycott of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in order to challenge its monopoly over the sport.
Inzamam ul Haq’s comments come at a time when the BCCI’s influence continues to expand, with the board exerting its power even over the International Cricket Council (ICC). One glaring example of this is the ICC’s handling of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is being hosted in two separate countries due to the BCCI’s resistance to the tournament being held solely in Pakistan.
This decision has created logistical headaches for the teams involved. Inzamam believes that a collective boycott of the IPL could help level the playing field and counterbalance the BCCI’s influence.
“In the case of the Champions Trophy, let’s put that aside for a moment. The biggest issue is the IPL,” Inzamam ul Haq said. “Top players from around the world take part in it, but Indian players are not allowed to compete in any other leagues. It’s time for other boards to stop sending their players there until the BCCI changes its policy.”
The heart of Inzamam’s argument lies in the imbalance caused by the BCCI’s policies. While foreign cricketers—apart from those from Pakistan—are free to travel to India for the IPL, Indian players are restricted to domestic leagues.
To participate in foreign competitions, they must retire from national duties, including the IPL. Inzamam ul Haq’s words also point to how some cricket boards, like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), give preferential treatment to the IPL when scheduling their domestic calendars, further highlighting the growing power of the Indian league.
The warning signs of international players prioritizing the IPL over national commitments are already visible. Australian stars Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins recently decided to skip the Champions Trophy to recover before the upcoming IPL season, where they have lucrative contracts.
Additionally, Pakistani cricketers have been excluded from the IPL since its inception, with their participation banned after the 2008 season. This exclusion has arguably contributed to the growing divide between Pakistan cricket and other nations.
Whether Inzamam ul Haq’s call for a boycott prompts action from other boards remains to be seen. However, he is not alone in criticizing India’s expanding influence over the game. With its growing footprint in franchise cricket worldwide, India is increasingly able to push its agenda with little resistance.