Series to only happen after govt’s nod, BCCI tells PCB

LAHORE: A three-member delegation of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), including Chairman Shahryar Khan, Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad, and Pakistan Super League Chairman Najam Sethi, left for Dubai Monday morning to know why the Indian cricket board refused to play a bilateral series with Pakistan.

The PCB delegation held a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) delegation over the matter.

'No progress'

Speaking to Geo.tv, Khan commented on the result of the meetings. "It was in good spirits, but there has been no progress. We heard and understood each other’s viewpoints, we knew what their legal standing was, and they knew ours,” he said.

The PCB Chairman explained that both the boards will hold talks and "will see if there’s a chance to push this forward in future", but for now, they only hope a bilateral match is scheduled.

Nevertheless, when asked if India has agreed to pay any compensation or shown any flexibility, Khan responded to both questions with a “no”.

Earlier, speaking to the media at Lahore airport, Khan said that Pakistan is standing by its agreement to play a series against India. "India didn’t play any match with Pakistan despite the agreement. We demand that Indian cricket team plays a bilateral series against Pakistan," he had added.

On the other hand, Sethi remarked that if the meeting fails to bear fruit then another meeting will be held. "India should compensate for refusing to play the bilateral series. If Indian cricket board does not budge then the matter will be taken to International Cricket Council (ICC)," he added.

'Last resort'

However, Khan mentioned how ICC's intervention is still a bit far. "It is not yet the time for ICC to mediate. But if the discussion isn't fruitful, that, of course, will be the last resort," he stated.

On May 3, the PCB initiated formal dispute resolution proceedings against the BCCI to claim compensation and damages it suffered due to BCCI's refusal to play bilateral series with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

BCCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the PCB in 2014 under which they were due to play six series – four to be hosted by Pakistan – between 2015 and 2023.

But New Delhi denied clearance for the series following strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Under the agreement, the Indian team was due to take on Pakistan in November-December 2015, but they refused to play even in the neutral venues of the United Arab Emirates or Sri Lanka.

Pakistan did tour India for a short limited-over series in December 2012 but the arch-rivals have not played a full bilateral series since 2007.

Umar Akmal avoids media upon return

Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal, who was withdrawn from Champions Trophy squad after failing two fitness tests in Pakistan team’s camp ahead of the tournament, also returned back to Lahore from the UK on Monday.

Upon his return, Akmal avoided media at Lahore airport and went straight home.

"He [Umar Akmal] has failed two fitness tests during the ongoing camp in England ahead of Champions Trophy," the PCB chairman told a website.

“We have a policy not to carry unfit players, it has been decided to call him back and send a replacement,” he added.