‘PCB stand forced ICC to make amendments’

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was forced to make amendments in the draft of the ‘Big Three’ proposal. Officials from the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – the ‘Big Three’ – outweigh those from other cricket boards who handle the ICC’s financial and administrative affairs. Thus, it has been known that they have been planning on bringing changes which would allow the three dominant countries to take control of the sector. However, the scheme is facing strong retaliation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA). A massive outcry has been raised against the proposed draft by several former cricketers and experts, who believe its implementation will destroy not only the ethical aspect of cricket, but also the game itself. “The ICC has been forced to make amendments after our stand against the ‘Big Three’,” Ashraf told reporters in Lahore during a press conference on Friday. “The initial strategy was to stop their ideas because it was brought up in haste and without any consultation with other boards. I believe any decision should be made with the consensus of all cricketing bodies.” Ashraf added that the next move would be planned tactfully under the guidance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also PCB’s patron-in-chief. Ashraf further stated that he was unable to understand the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) late change in allegiance in favour of the proposal even though initially they had been alongside the PCB, CSA and SLC till the end of the two-day ICC meeting. The chairman however clarified that the BCB may have changed their decision for the betterment of the sport in their country, while adding that each country must do what was in its favour. “Money will automatically come only if cricket is continued to be played. This is what the boards need to understand that they might destroy the game by running after money.” Ashraf appears perplexed regarding PCB’s stance Ashraf appeared bewildered regarding Pakistan’s future in relation to the proposal. He had earlier promised to stand strong against any amendments which would not favour the country, while on the other hand he claimed that they should change their course if the decision benefited Pakistan. He also revealed that the ‘Big Three’ and the ICC have promised that if the new draft was implemented, then no country would face a fall in their share of revenue, whereas India, Australia and England would get a raise in their annual income. Meanwhile, the PCB has called on a Governing Board (GB) meeting on Monday to deliberate on the agendas of the recent ICC meeting. Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2014.