“There is no reason to justify the BCCI asking the PCB to play the series in India”
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The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) governing board has supported chairman Shaharyar Khan’s stance on the bilateral series between Pakistan and India being held in the United Arab Emirates from December 8 to January 9.
Earlier this week, Khan rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) request to hold the series in India as the PCB would lose approximately $50 million in revenue. The PCB added that they are also worried about the security situation in India following protests by members of Shiv Sena, a far-right regional political party that doesn’t want to see Pakistan play India in India.
“The BoG has reaffirmed its position regarding the scheduled Pakistan-India series,” Khan told reporters in Lahore. “BoG has restated that the BCCI has signed an agreement with the PCB to play the series in UAE. Under the circumstances the BoG insists that the BCCI should honour its pledge to play in the UAE. There is no reason to justify the BCCI asking the PCB to play the series in India because there’s no security issue involved playing the series in UAE.
“They should adhere to that agreement and we should not go to India. So that’s what BoG discussed today and after that they have advised us. In reality where MoUs are signed, it’s not binding but there’s a legal opinion that it’s an agreement as you have given something against it.”
Should India not honour the Memorandum of Understanding they signed with Pakistan, which will see them play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023, Khan revealed that the PCB will cut off cricketing ties with the BCCI.
“We won’t play against them,” he said. “Some people think that if Pakistan doesn’t play against India, whether in UAE or in India, then we will go bankrupt. But we have not been playing for the last eight years and still we have survived. We won’t be getting a bonus, but it’s all right if you are not playing against us.
“We will suffer a loss and we understand we have to tighten our belts and have to do downsizing but we have to pass through it. We have to sacrifice this because of the country but at the same time we are doing fine with our finances and can continue.”
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan echoed Khan’s sentiments, and said: “This is not about money; it’s an issue that involves Pakistan’s dignity and honour. Though the final decision is to be taken by the Prime Minister, I will oppose any tour to India under the present circumstances if it comes under discussion at a cabinet meeting or some other forum.”