Pakistan is tirelessly aiming to secure a series or get monetary compensation from its arch rival — India. PCB is not only putting pressure on BCCI but ICC as well to ensure that Pakistan plays at least 24 matches against India in the new Future Tours Program.
Here is everything you need to know regarding the situation and what to expect in the near future.
Fresh League Structure
Last month, ICC held a board meeting in Auckland which aimed to address the fresh league structure to be implemented after 2019 World Cup. The meeting was attended by PCB along with all Full Members*.
However, PCB made it a conditional agreement that Pakistan will only agree if BCCI honors the bilateral series agreement signed by both the boards in 2014.
Although the Full Members unanimously agreed on a “two-year, nine-team Test league as well as a 13-team ODI league,” it remains to be decided who will play whom, how often and on what venues.
The final schedule will be completed in January for ICC representatives to look over the following month. The league will last for 16 months and teams will have 8 months off to play whoever they choose.
Matches Outside Structure
BCCI have expressed their desire to not play Pakistan in the league, something which PCB has not strongly opposed. However, PCB wants India to honor their word and play the bilateral series in the eight-month window.
Generally, Pakistan was satisfied with the new structure on the basis that it contained 24 international matches between Pakistan and India, according to the MoU signed between both parties in 2014.
The agreement clearly states future tour programs from 2014 to 2023, which includes 12 Tests, 30 ODIs and 12 T20 matches.
“Pakistan’s Case Isn’t Strong”
The dispute between PCB and BCCI is becoming unsettling for the ICC. Speaking to a local media outlet over the weekend, Shahryar Khan stated:
“To an extent, it is a weakness [in our case],” he said, having been involved in these discussions until he stepped down as chairman in August. The weakness is that it is written in there that both sides need government permission [before playing each other].
We have our government’s permission. They haven’t got permission yet, so they could say that it is written that until they haven’t got permission they cannot come and play. These are problems but it’s okay to bring them under some pressure as well.
Moments later, Shaharyar immediately disowned his words:
I strongly deny a statement attributed to me in the media in which I am supposed to have said that the PCB’s case against the BCCI is weak.
How could I say such a thing when, in fact, as Chairman and with the approval of the PCB’s Board of Governors, I authorized preparation of a case on the advice of PCB’s lawyers and a prominent QC in the UK who agreed that PCB had a strong case against India.
Who Is Right?
The document which contained the details of the tours was leaked on social media in 2014, which led to officials from both boards confirming its authenticity.
Moreover, the agreement clearly states that it will only be applicable if BCCI qualify for the Big Three Resolution, which they did.
BCCI officials claim that the board did not have any authority to agree to a bilateral series without permission from their government.
Pakistan will look to file an official notice of dispute against BCCI, which will evaluate the situation and then come at a conclusion.
*Full Members includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, England and Ireland.
Images via Cricinfo
PCB Letter Direct Modi Ya ICC Ko Likhe K Permission Allow Kare :
It’s Cricket Not Politics
Waisy Letter Main Board K Stamped Nahi Lage Howye Aur Ye Letter Head Hai Board kA ???
If BCCI doesn’t want to play then why PCB trying to play ? Why ?