BCCI Requests Union Government to Convey Position Regarding India-Pakistan Bilateral Ties

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested the Union Government to confirm it’s position with regards to the India-Pakistan bilateral series.

It has been on hold since 2012. It is due to the political turmoil prevailing between the two neighbouring countries. The richest board in the world BCCI stood firm in its stance of not engaging in any bilateral contest with Pakistan without the clearance given by the government.

It is learnt BCCI wants a total formal communication before they move to the ICC Disputes Resolution Forum. They are set to counter the compensation claim of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). It amounts to $70 million. The reason is for not honouring the MoU which was signed way back in 2014.

“The BCCI would be grateful if you could formally convey the policy/position of the Government of India on the need or requirement of prior clearance from the Government of India for the Indian cricket team to play the Pakistan cricket in inbound or outbound tours,” BCCI recently wrote to the ministry.

A senior BCCI official was asked about the recent email. He said that these are the routine communications on part of the Indian Board.

“These are routine communications on part of BCCI. It is our duty to seek permission from the government with regards to bilateral series. Our job is to ask and it’s up to the government. We understand that bilateral series in prevailing circumstances is very difficult. But if we get a reply from the government in ‘black and white’, it will help us,” the BCCI official said.

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PCB has appealed to ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee. They accused BCCI of not honouring the Future Tours and Programme (FTP) commitment.

Well, it also required them to play at least two away series against Pakistan on a neutral venue. The venue could be either the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sharjah or any other country.

ICC’s confirmation and hearing date:

“The International Cricket Council on Monday confirmed that the Hon Michael Beloff QC will chair the Dispute Panel in the matter of proceedings between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India,” ICC had then said in a release.

Meanwhile, the ICC has made it pretty clear that the decision of the Dispute Panel should be not applicable.

“The two other members of the panel, which has been established under the Terms of Reference of the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, are Jan Paulsson and Dr Anabelle Benett AO, SC,” it further said. 

“The hearing will take place as per article 10.4 of the Terms of Reference of the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, the decision of the Dispute Panel shall be non-appealable and shall remain the full and final decision in relation to the matter and binding on all parties,” it concluded

The official hearing date is scheduled between 1^st to 3^rd October at the ICC headquarters in Dubai.

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