Criticism has surrounded the ICC T20 World Cup due to perceived issues of transparency and controversial pre-seeding, which appear to contradict cricket's global aspirations. Australia's top finish in Group B with a robust net run rate did not shield them from a pre-arranged clash against India in the Super 8 stage, highlighting systemic flaws in the tournament structure. Mitchell Starc voiced his misgivings about this pre-seeding, casting doubt on the fairness of the process.
The tournament's 2024 edition has been marred by concerns over opaque draw procedures, scheduling that favours India, and a format that diminishes the potential for surprises. Predetermined match-ups, like the predictable India-Pakistan opener, further raise questions about the competition's integrity. Critics argue that the format appears geared towards maximising India's prominence, potentially compromising the event's competitive unpredictability.
The group-stage matches were set up in a way that minimises their impact on the later stages, leading to dead rubbers and lack of jeopardy in the tournament. Despite some teams defying the seedings and adding intrigue to the competition, the overall design of the tournament seems to prioritise certain teams over others. India, in particular, benefits from favourable scheduling, minimal travel, and prime-time match slots, further emphasising the tournament's bias.
While the ICC aimed to make the T20 World Cup a more inclusive event with 20 teams, there are still significant improvements needed to truly elevate it to a global sporting spectacle. The opaque practices, lack of fairness, and heavy influence on certain teams undermine the credibility and excitement of the tournament. More transparency, equitable scheduling, and a genuine competitive spirit are essential for the growth and success of the ICC T20 World Cup.