By dragging the ICC to the court of law over the relocation of the 2011 World Cup matches, the PCB may only be risking further isolation.
By dragging the International Cricket Council to the court of law over the relocation of the 2011 World Cup matches from Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board may only be risking further isolation. With no international team willing to travel to the country, it is Pakistan who need international cricket rather than international cricket needing Pakistan.
The ICC, slapped with legal notices, is unwilling to discuss the option of imposing sanctions on the PCB but contends that the decision to move the World Cup matches out of Pakistan can stand any legal scrutiny. In a formal response to the PCB, the ICC has rejected the legal notice saying that there are inaccuracies and misunderstandings in the PCB’s claims.
The ICC further contended that the PCB has not been removed as the joint hosts of the World Cup but only the matches assigned to the PCB have been moved out of Pakistan. And what is more, an ICC spokesman said the PCB will also be entitled for a share of the hosting fees which could be around $100 million.
The ICC further said that the PCB’s suggestion that the ICC Board was not empowered to decide on the matches is incorrect and without foundation.
Interestingly enough, after a lot of brouhaha about its willingness to have Pakistan’s quota of matches in venues such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the PCB is yet to make a formal offer to that effect. “ICC has not got any such proposal,” an ICC spokesman said, reminding that its chief executive made a declaration that each hosting nation should propose alternative venues much before the decision was taken on Pakistan matches on April 17.
Haroon Lorgat had, in fact, made the suggestion in New Delhi back on February 17.
Meanwhile, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Board officials are adopting a wait-and-watch policy. “It is between ICC and PCB and we don’t have a say. We’re just waiting for the things to settle down,” said an official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
A Bangladesh Cricket Boardofficial said it is a legal matter and his board would not comment. But the officials agree that Pakistan are not going to win too many friends with their offensive stance vis-a--vis World Cup.
Meanwhile, PCB chief Ijaz Butt said it is open to dialogue with the ICC and other co-hosts but the world body said it hoped the PCB will withdraw its spurious claims and, as a responsible full member, “engage with us in an appropriate manner.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}