Pakistan Suggests Fate Of Hormuz Strait Could Come Down To A Super Over

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

Pakistan has formally proposed to the United Nations Security Council that control of the Strait of Hormuz be decided by a Super Over, to be held at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium at a date yet to be confirmed.

The proposal was tabled by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during an emergency session on Thursday. It was met with a long silence before a delegate from Fiji began applauding.

"Both nations have had their innings," Mr Dar told the council.

"The scores are level. The people of the world are waiting. It is time to send in your best six batters and your best bowler and settle this like adults."

Approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passes through the strait each day.

Iran confirmed it would be willing to participate. Its conditions, however. DRS must be available and any wide called by a Pakistani umpire must be reviewed by a neutral party. Sri Lanka is understood to be available.

The United States has not formally responded. Sources within the State Department confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was unaware cricket was a popular sport and had requested a briefing on whether it involved helmets.

Pakistan has also proposed hosting the match as part of PSL Season 11. Venues are booked. Broadcast infrastructure is in place. Ticket revenue, officials noted, would likely exceed the cost of whatever military operation would otherwise be required.

"We are already hosting eight franchises," Mr Dar said.

"What is two more nations. We add them to the wildcard round. Very simple."

Criticism came swiftly. Former UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy questioned whether a Super Over was an adequate mechanism for resolving a dispute of this magnitude. He did not offer an alternative, as per usual.

Pakistan responded by amending the proposal to include a bowl-out as a secondary tiebreaker. The bowl-out is a discontinued format in which five bowlers from each side attempt to hit an unguarded set of stumps. It has not been used in professional cricket since 2009ish.

"If you don't trust a Super Over, fine," Mr Dar said.

"But nobody ties a bowl-out. Nobody. Not even Iran and America. Five bowlers, aim at the stumps, go home. The strait reopens Monday."

The International Cricket Council said it would be open to a conversation, but noted that both nations would first need to apply for Full Membership. The process takes between three and seven years and probably involves a lot of bribes.

Pakistan said this was fine and offered to get the paperwork started. Also, happy to bribe where needed.

At time of publication, oil futures had fallen 4% on the news.

More to come.