​’Milk India vs Pakistan twice’: ICC’s decision to reformat ODI and T20 World Cups faces fans’ backlash originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The ICC’s revamped World Cup formats have drawn heavy criticism from fans online.Many argue the changes are designed to engineer two India-Pakistan fixtures.Others claim associate nations have been squeezed out at the very first stage.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe International Cricket Council announced its most significant overhaul of the men’s global tournaments in years on Wednesday, introducing new stages to both the 50-over and T20 World Cups in the name of greater competitiveness.The governing body framed the changes as positive. It posted that it had revamped the format of its marquee men’s events to enhance competitive structure and elevate sporting standards, pointing to the new Super 7 and Super 10 rounds.The reaction from supporters, however, was overwhelmingly hostile. Rather than praise for a more consequential structure, the announcement was met with accusations of commercial cynicism and the marginalisation of the game’s smaller nations.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Explained: New ODI World Cup format|Explained: New T20 World Cup formatThe most common criticism centred on a single suspicion: that the new structures are engineered to manufacture multiple meetings between India and Pakistan, cricket’s most lucrative and politically charged fixture.”The only reason for this format is to ensure ICC can milk India v Pakistan twice”, wrote the one user. “One at the group stage and then in Super 7. Since they think associates’ games won’t fetch much, they are eliminating 2 of them at the start itself.” For them it doesn’t make sense on why ICC wants to include more associate nations while pushing for the same rivalries between India and Pakistan.Embed Twitter FeedAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMeanwhile, others made the same point with heavier sarcasm. “I just clocked it… there will be two Indo-Pak games with this new format, one in the group phase and then again in the Super 7 phase. The ICC are shameless, man,” posted another fan. But it wasn’t just fans who gave their honest thoughts about this new World Cup structure.Embed Twitter FeedThe satirical Iceland Cricket account, a reliable critic of the governing body, needed only a single line. “And try and ensure two India vs Pakistan matches. We know your game!” it wrote in response to the ICC’s announcement.Embed Twitter FeedAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor some, the objection was simpler and more exasperated. “Stop killing cricket for Ind-Pak matches,” wrote one desperate fan, capturing a strand of frustration that the sport’s calendar increasingly bends around one rivalry. A second wave of criticism focused on the game’s smaller teams, with several arguing the format actively reduces the exposure that Associate nations desperately need to grow.