We Have Decided To File Compensation Claim Against BCCI In January 2018, Says Najam Sethi
Nov 23, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Najam Sethi, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, has confirmed the cricket board file a compensation claim against the BCCI with the ICC disputes resolution committee in the first week of January next year.
The Indian and Pakistan cricket boards, in 2014, had signed MoUs for six bilateral series to be played between 2015 and 2023 with Pakistan hosting four of them. However, the MoU has not been implemented due to the escalating political tensions between the two neighbours. The arch-rivals had not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.
However, the PCB is now in no mood to accept BCCI’s constant refusal and is now all set to file a compensation claim.
“We are having our final meeting with our law firm in London next week and we have decided to file the claim with the ICC disputes resolution committee in first week of January,” told a media conference in Lahore.
“We are claiming compensation from the BCCI for not honouring a MoU to play 24 matches with us. They obviously have said they are not bound to pay us anything as they can’t play with us without government clearance,” Sethi added.
Sethi further said that resuming bilateral cricket against India is the top-most priority which will not only boost the coffers of both the teams but will also please the fans.
“Our first priority is that India should resume ties with us that would be an ideal situation. Both the Boards can make money and people want to see Pakistan and India play. But if they don’t want to play then we are seeking millions in compensation from them,” he said.
The PCB official is also hopeful that the BCCI would get the green light from the government to play Pakistan in the Test Championship, scheduled to start in 2019.
“We have read media reports that the BCCI has sought clearance from its government to play Tests with us in the ICC Championship. I think they should get this clearance because when they can play with us in the ICC events then they can also play us in the Test Championship under the ICC umbrella.”
“There is no third option under ICC rules. If they don’t play with us they will forfeit the match and the points, it is as simple as that. We have no problems playing with them in the Test Championship,” he added.
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