Daily Times

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan Thursday said that the PCB would pursue legal action against the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) for repeatedly refusing to play a bilateral series between the two countries. Addressing a press conference here at Gaddafi Stadium, Shaharyar recalled that the PCB and the BCCI had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2014, under which the two countries were supposed to play six series in eight years. “Two of those six series have already fallen through; it does not look like the third one will happen either,” he said. “Therefore, we are left with no option but to pursue legal action against India,” the PCB chairman added.

He recalled that India’s refusal to play the series in Pakistan in 2014 had cost the PCB around a million dollars. “We’ll tell them that they (India) forced us into taking this step. We want them to compensate us for all our losses.” Explaining the process, Shaharyar said the PCB would first send a legal notice to the Indian cricket board and then raise a dispute in the International Cricket Council. “If the issue is not resolved at the ICC, then the PCB will pursue the case in court. Our case is solid. I have a reason to believe that India does not want to play with Pakistan anytime soon.” He said that citing the political rift between the two neighbouring countries was not reason enough for refusing to play. “Pakistan and India had played cricket despite tensions between the two.”

“It isn’t necessary to cancel cricket because of a prevailing political situation. However, looking at the attitude of the Indian Prime Minister Modi, it seems unlikely that India wants to play with Pakistan,” he said. Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are currently stalled, given the political tensions between the two countries. The men’s teams have not played a bilateral series against each other since December-January 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India, but have met in various multi-team tournaments since then, including the World Cup, World T20, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.

Pakistan Super League III: Meanwhile, while discussing the matter of next year’s Pakistan Super League Shaharyar hoped that the PCB would be able to organise some of the matches in Pakistan and said that the groundwork for that had already begun. “However, on PSL chairman Najam Sethi’s suggestion we have also asked for an audit of the second edition to find out our costs and profits.”

Accreditation for biomechanics lab: PCB’s biomechanics lab, which was undertaken by LUMS last year, will soon become the sixth ICC accredited facility and first in Pakistan. “We are expecting accreditation of the biomechanics lab in LUMS. It will be the sixth facility of its kind. The accreditation might be received in June-July 2017.”

Clarke’s visit fruitful: Head of the ICC’s Pakistan task force Giles Clarke visited the country in January this year to assess the security situation for foreign teams’ tours and Shaharyar said his visit was successful. “Clarke’s visit was successful. He saw the PSL2 final in Lahore. Apart from that, eight security advisors from different boards and the ICC saw the match as well. They saw how enthusiastically people participated in the final. They will submit reports to their respective boards and the ICC now and this might help reopen the gates of international cricket in Pakistan.”

Annual awards: Shaharyar also announced awards for best performers which would be given in the PCB’s annual meeting every year. “Annual meeting will have awards for best batsman, bowler, keeper, umpires and others to attract interest of the people,” Shaharyar explained.

Won’t contest for PCB post again: Shaharyar’s term as the PCB chairman ends in August 2018 and he clarified that he was not willing to be appointed again. “I will not be a part of PCB after August 2018 in any capacity,” said Shaharyar. “It is a personal decision; my health also is a reason. I have given it in written to the patron that he can accept my resignation after the stipulated period and appoint a new chairman in accordance with the constitution,” he concluded.