ICC spending more than $1 million on Independence Cup

LAHORE: Keeping the commitment to “assisting” Pakistan cricket by compensating the losses it has suffered due to the drought of international cricket at home, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is spending over a million dollars on the on-going Independence Cup between Pakistan and World XI.

A source privy to the matter confirmed to Geo.tv on Tuesday that ICC is spending at least $1.2million on the series.

“The amount is paid to internationally recognised security firms hired by the PCB for the series,” confirmed the source.

The source further confirmed that this assistance is directly in connection with ICC board’s decision in September 2016, which agreed to provide some sort of assistance to Pakistan after PCB requested ICC to establish a fund for the cricket deprived country.

“ICC can’t compensate boards for missing the opportunity to host series at home, so the council decided to assist Pakistan in the best possible way,” the source added.

“The PCB made a request for a special assistance fund to be allocated to Pakistan in light of its financial issues related to not being able to compete at home. The ICC board, on the recommendation of the Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee, agreed that some form of assistance will be provided and the matter will be discussed with PCB going forward,” ICC had said in September 2016

“The ICC then suggested PCB hire internationally recognised security experts for the World XI series and their fees would be paid by the council," further said the source.

The security firms had been in contact with PCB in the past as well and have been working with various boards and FICA too.

Sources feel that the presence of these security experts played an important role in convincing international players to show consent for touring Pakistan for the landmark series.