MUMBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken objection to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision not to include any bilateral matches with Pakistan in its proposed FTP (Future Tours Programme) for 2019-2023.
The PCB has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) and initiated a Dispute Resolution Process against the BCCI for not honouring its commitment of playing Pakistan.
“The PCB has also informed the ICC that it has initiated a dispute resolution process against the BCCI under the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee Terms of Reference,” a PCB release said. “Further to that, the PCB’s claim is based on an existing agreement with the BCCI which contemplates that India will tour Pakistan in December 2019, August 2020 and Nov-Dec 2022 and Pakistan will tour India in Nov-Dec 2021,” it added.
On the other hand, the BCCI maintains its stand on not playing Pakistan outside ICC events unless Indian government approves it. “It is something which…it is a question which is embedded not in the matrix of cricket alone. That is publicly recognised. Unless you put together all factors that determine an event, it is futile attempting to answer that question,” the BCCI’s acting secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary was quoted as saying by the ESPNCricinfo.
However, on the question of the Indian team travelling to Pakistan if circumstances become favourable, Chaudhary said the BCCI would be really happy to find a place for it in its schedule. “If we could manoeuvre our calendar after having made space for a proposed tour of Pakistan, I am sure depending on the new situation, new ways will be found,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
