*DUBAI – Pakistan and India squared off at the legal crease at a hearing atthe International Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai Monday after thetwo sides failed to honour a deal to compete in several bilateral series.*
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is demanding 70 million dollars incompensation from India, claiming that a memorandum of understanding signedin 2014 had guaranteed six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.
However the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have said they areunable to play against Pakistan until their government gives thempermission and dismissed the agreement as not legally binding.
The hearing is set to last until October 3.
ICC’s chief executive David Richardson last week urged the two nations toresolve the matter between themselves rather than seeking arbitration.
“It is a matter between India and Pakistan. We would like the resumption ofties between the two nations on a bilateral basis,” said Richardson.
“We will facilitate any settlement decision if we can. Other than that, itis up to the two nations.”
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India-Pakistan ties, including sports and cultural contacts, plummetedafter the 2008 militant attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed onPakistani militant groups.
There has been just one bilateral tour since, when Pakistan visited Indiato play two Twenty20s and three one-day internationals in December 2012 andJanuary 2013.
Pakistan and India continue to play each other in international events,including last month’s Asia Cup in Dubai.
India won that event while Pakistan failed to reach the final. – APP/AFP
