Pakistan, May 16 -- The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing intense criticism after fans accused it of hypocrisy in enforcing its rules. The controversy erupted when ICC Chairman Jay Shah openly supported the Indian armed forces during the recent Pakistan-India conflict, while earlier banning Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja for promoting a peace message.

Usman Khawaja was stopped from displaying a dove symbol and the phrase "All lives are equal" on his bat during a match in 2023. He had intended the message to support peace in the Middle East, but the ICC deemed it a political statement and banned it.

However, critics argue that Jay Shah's open support for the Indian military was far more political. As chairman of the ICC a...