MyVoice: Views of our readers 13th February 2026

Consistency and ICC rules

Apropos “Pampering Pakistan, ICC shows the way” (THI, February 12). The recent developments around the T20 World Cup have left many wondering about the ICC’s handling of disputes involving member nations. Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India led to their replacement, while Pakistan’s brief boycott threat over the India match was quickly resolved through closed-door talks, with no penalties for BCB and even assurances of future hosting rights.

This contrast raises valid questions about consistency in applying rules, especially when big-ticket games are at stake. Cricket’s global growth depends on fair governance that builds trust across all boards, not just the financially dominant ones. The ICC should prioritise transparent policies on security concerns, neutral venues, and sanctions to prevent such crises.

A Myilsamy, Coimbatore

II

Apropos “Pampering Pakistan, ICC Shows the Way” (THI, Feb. 12), the episode reflects how commercial interests often outweigh fairness in cricket administration. While the India–Pakistan fixture is undeniably valuable, sidelining Bangladesh’s concerns was neither just nor wise. A more balanced approach would have been to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka, ensuring their participation without compromising security.

Such precedents exist and could have preserved both integrity and inclusiveness. Going forward, the ICC must adopt transparent protocols for handling political or security disputes, so that no team feels ignored. Cricket’s credibility depends on fairness, not appeasement.

S M Jeeva, Chennai

III

Apropos “Pampering Pakistan, ICC Shows the Way” (February 12), the recent developments around the India-Pakistan fixture once again highlight how fragile cricket administration can become when politics intrudes. While the ICC may have sought a practical compromise, the perception of uneven treatment has left many fans uneasy.

Decisions affecting major tournaments must be guided by transparent rules applied uniformly to all member boards. Security concerns, if genuine, deserve respect, but they should be assessed by independent experts and communicated clearly. The ICC should lay down firm protocols in advance to prevent last-minute brinkmanship.

M Barathi, Bengaluru

Of books and Official Secrets Act

During the past period of over seven and a half decades of our Indian Republic, never had an occasion as the present one had cropped up necessitating to formulating guidelines for serving and retired armed forces personnel who wish to public books in future. It is not that there were no cross border wars, nor that no books on dealing with sensitive operational details published hitherto all these years but the Official Secrets Act (OSA) must have been complied with fully and took care in respect of such matters all these years.

In the event it appears that the OSA ,which makes disclosure of classified information, sensitive operational details, or any material prejudicial to national security a criminal offence, is very much in force as of now, the leakage of the alleged “compromise on the war front” as reported on social media by the man in the uniform raises serious concern on the spectrum of a country’s defence matters.

Seshagiri Row Karry, Hyderabad

II

Issuing guidelines for book-writing by defence personnel is the government’s way of ensuring that they write only that which is not inconvenient to it. Implicit in the move is the government’s recognition that former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir Four Stars of Destiny is not to its liking and, by pointing out its procrastination during the Galwan clash, it has debunked its claim to strong leadership.

The government finds it hard to wriggle out of giving a clear account of what really happened in the crucial moments referred to in the book and tries desperate measures to deflect attention and criticism. The move is also an admission that the manuscript of the memoir was written by the former army chief and cited its status as unpublished material only to deny people their right to know what is in it.

G David Milton, Maruthancode, TN

Radio is true companion in progress

On World Radio Day (February 13), let us celebrate the timeless voice of India’s radio! From Ameen Sayani’s magical ‘Binaca/Cibaca Geetmala’ and soul-stirring ‘Bhule Bisre Geet’, to inspiring Hindi songs and enriching educational broadcasts, radio has united hearts and minds. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ continues this legacy, igniting hope, spreading awareness and strengthening nation-building. Radio remains our true companion in progress.

T S Karthik, Chennai-10