BCCI unlikely to fulfill PCB's compensation demands

The BCCI represented by Joint Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary, CEO Rahul Johri, and GM MV Sridhar met the PCB officials to discuss the issue of the two countries not indulging in a bilateral series over the course of years and also the pressing issue of the USD 60 million compensation demanded by the PCB.

"The delegations of the BCCI and PCB have met in Dubai today and shared their stated positions. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and its outcome will be shared with the members of their respective boards," a BCCI release stated.

The main issue discussed at the meet was PCB's pressing demand for a compensation from the Indian board as the BCCI was alleged of breaching the MOU according to which the two countries were to play six bilateral series during the period of 2015-2023. 

It is being reported that the Indian board is unlikely to pay the compensation as it had already cleared its stance on the issue stating the broader context of diplomatic relations between the two states as the reason of the breach. The BCCI has requested the PCB to withdraw its compensation claim. The suggestion to play a limited-over series between the two countries in September when Champions League T20 was held was discussed in the meet.

However, the meeting proved inconclusive as Sports Minister Vijay Goel ruled out the possibility of India playing Pakistan at any venue citing cross-country terrorism as the reason for the decision. 

"After today's statement by the union sports minister, it is unlikely that a series against Pakistan will be held anytime soon. We have told PCB that unless our government gives permission, we will not even be able to play them at a neutral venue like the UAE," a BCCI source told PTI.

India will continue to face Pakistan at ICC tournaments for the time being.