BCCI requests Union government to formally convey policy with respect to Indo-Pak series
BCCI authorities have asked the Union government to put forth their opinion regarding the government's current position on a bi-lateral series involving India and Pakistan. The BCCI have repeatedly claimed that they would not be able to engage in a series without the governmentâs approval.
The socio-political tension between India and Pakistan was always a point of concern for both parties involved ever since the partition of the two bodies back in 1947, but they ensured that their rivalry on the political ground did not creep into the sport of cricket until it all changed in 2012. Now the BCCI has written an e-mail to the Union government asking them to reaffirm their stance on the Indo-Pak issue as PCB weighs up a compensation claim filed to the ICC Disputes Resolution Forum of an amount USD 70 million for not honouring the MoU, signed 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.
Speculation is rife that the BCCI authorities wanted a formal communication before they prepare to head to ICC Disputes Resolution Forum where they are will argue against PCB's compensation claim of USD 70 million. PCB had also appealed to ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee, where they accused the BCCI of not honouring the Future Tours & Programme (FTP) commitment, which required India to play at least two away series against Pakistan at a neutral venue like the UAE or some other country of their choice.
"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," a top BCCI official told PTI sources.
The International Cricket Council today revealed that Hon Michael Beloff QC will chair the Dispute Panel in the
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