Pakistan takes on India this time off field, as PCB-BCCI scuffle for violation of MoU continues

Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated on Tuesday that the document signed between the BCCI and the PCB in 2014, for the revival of bilateral ties between the two nations was a proper contract and not just a MoU.

This statement comes a week after the PCB issued a notice against the BCCI. In the notice the PCB demanded a compensation of $69.57 million from the BCCI for failing to honour the agreement of playing six series over a period of eight years beginning from 2015.

BCCI however has rejected the PCB’s demand for compensation for not honouring the MoU signed between them saying that it was not binding, and also sighted reasons of security, tension between the two nations and denial of permission from the government.

“The BCCI’s reply has two objections. Firstly, there is no term included in the contract under which the word of government’s permission is mentioned as necessary. Secondly, it was not an MoU but a contract as India sought PCB’s support for the Big Three formula, from which it earned huge revenue as a member of Big Three,” as Shaharyar was quoted  by the Dawn.

Khan also stated that the PCB would have enjoyed profits had the two nations faced each other in bilateral ties. Thus, BCCI’s failure at fulfilling the agreement has also caused them massive loses.

“Our benefit was only if the bilateral series would have started, which did not happen, causing us massive losses. Our legal team has prepared the case on strong footings and now we will again send a response to the BCCI’s letter before moving to the ICC dispute resolve committee,” he said.

The 83 year-old further asserted that they have a strong case and the PCB is prepared to go to the ICC level to seek justice.

“Let me clear that the PCB’s case is strong and we will go to the last stage to win at the ICC level since it is our right to demand justice” he said.

He went on to blame the Indian government, and pointed out the absence of any clause stating government clearance for resumption of ties “It is not our [government] but the Indian government which is creating hurdles in the way of resumption of bilateral cricket and as that term related to the government’s permission is not included in the contract. So, it is not our responsibility to get permission from the Indian government,” he asserted

Khan’s statement was further backed by PCB’s executive committee Chairman Najam Sethi who believes the BCCI has not stated any genuine reasons for avoiding a bilateral series against them at a neutral venue.

“We would like BCCI to tell us why India has refused to play Pakistan these past couple of years. If the Government of India is refusing BCCI permission, then BCCI has to show us a letter stating this. It also has to justify why it thinks there is a security problem playing Pakistan in a mutually agreed neutral venue, like the UAE or Sri Lanka. We need to know what the problem is. India has to talk to us and resolve this.” Sethi was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

The BCCI meanwhile seems to be playing the watching game. The Indian Government also doesn’t seem keen on resumption of cricketing ties between the two neighbours which became clear after Sports Minister Vijay Goel’s recent comments.