Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi questioned BCCI’s decision of not incorporating the “permission from central government” clause in the alleged contract to play bilateral series that was inked between the two neighbours.
While BCCI brass has always termed the one-page letter signed by both boards as merely an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) to play five series in eight years between 2015 to 2023, Pakistan refers to it as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The PCB has sought USD 70 million in compensation claim against India for refusing to play a bilateral series, violating a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. A three-member ICC panel will hear the claim in October.
Right now, the two countries only play in multi-team events like 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy, World T20 or Asia Cup.
“If India comes to Pakistan, they want security and vice-versa because of the political situation. But there is no security issue if we play in a third country, which is what we have been saying. We play our home games in the UAE,” Sethi told PTI during an interaction.
“But apparently the BCCI is having difficulty in ensuring that. They say they don’t have government permission. Our position is that why should you require government permission? We don’t take government permission. The ICC does not want interference from the government in affairs of cricket boards,” Sethi tried to drive home his point.
As per the newly drafted FTP, India have slots for Pakistan series, but it won’t happen till the clearance comes from the Indian government.
Acting secretary of BCCI Amitabh Choudhary reiterated Indian cricket board’s long-standing position that BCCI “never signed any contract” with PCB with regards to bilateral series.
