PCB raises objection to BCCI's FTP structure for 2019-23

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has quizzed the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) proposed new Future Tours Programme for the 2019-2023 cycle, which does not feature the bilateral series between the two sides.

During the BCCI's Special General Meeting (SGM) held in New Delhi on Monday, the board had maintained that the bilateral series between India and Pakistan will be possible only if the Centre gives the nod.

"If the government agrees, we will make space for India-Pakistan bilateral series," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary had said following the SGM. Now, the PCB clarified some reports in the media regarding the ongoing meetings on the new proposed ICC International Cricket Structures and the effect of these on the ICCFTP with specific reference to the series between the two arch-rivals.

"Since the onset of these discussions, PCB has reiterated its position on bilateral series vs India. Our position is that PCB's agreement to the revised structures for international cricket is subject to the condition that PCB has a valid agreement to play bilateral matches with India and India vs Pakistan matches would be included in the FTP. This continues to be our position," the PCB said.

According to the new Future Tours Programme, India will be hosting 81 matches across three formats of the game from 2019-2023, which is 30 more than the current programme.

The new FTP cycle at home will include high-profile series against England, South Africa and Australia, but no match against neighbours Pakistan. Meanwhile, the PCB also said that it had informed the ICC that if it gets a favourable verdict in the Dispute Resolution Process, which they had initiated against the BCCI, then it will object to the current FTP structure.

"PCB has also informed the ICC that it has initiated a dispute resolution process against the BCCI under the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee Terms of Reference. Further to that the PCB's claim is based on an existing agreement with the BCCI which contemplates that India will tour Pakistan in December 2019, August 2020 and Nov - Dec 2022 and Pakistan will tour India in Nov - Dec 2021," the PCB said.

"Under the prevailing circumstances, it is PCB's position that if the Dispute Resolution Committee decides the dispute in PCB's favour then any FTP will need to be adjusted to reflect the decision. Any agreement of the PCB to any new FTP structure will therefore be without prejudice to its existing claims against BCCI and will be subject to the outcome of the ICC dispute resolution process," the Najam Sethi-led board added.

In 2014, both - the BCCI and the Pankistan Cricket Board (PCB) - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which stated the two arch-rivals would play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. According to the 2014 agreement, India was scheduled to play six series against Pakistan - four of them were going to be Pakistan's home series.

While the BCCI has repeatedly snubbed Pakistan's request for resumption of ties, the PCB wants its Indian counterpart to honour its commitment under the MoU signed, which is subjected to clearance from the Government of India.

Pakistan was expected to generate bulk of revenue in these eight years from hosting India but since BCCI denied playing the series in wake of tension between the two countries, the PCB suffered huge financial losses due to it.