LAHORE: The revival of International cricket in Pakistan seems to be fastcoming as now International Cricket Council has also made it a point in itsfuture agenda.
ICC will work with Pakistan and other cricketing nations over the issue ofrevival of international cricket in Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has included the issue of theresumption of international cricket in Pakistan in its strategic policy,which has been finalized in its meeting held in Dubai last week, Dawn haslearnt.
Though the above mentioned issue was not included in the original draft ofthe strategic policy when it was presented before the member countries ofthe ICC during the meeting, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised anobjection and asked that the ICC should also include the point regardingthe restoration of international cricket in Pakistan.
It may be mentioned here that international cricket has remained suspendedin Pakistan since 2009 when the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked byterrorists during the Lahore Test. Although there have been scatteredactivities such the Zimbabwe limited-overs series in 2015, the World XIvisit and the Sri lannka T20 last year, major cricketing nations such asAustralia, England, New Zealand, India and South Africa have stayed awaydue to security reasons. The West Indies, however, will be touring Lahorein March to play three T20 matches.
New development made after PCB raises objection
Meanwhile, the ICC strategic policy has to deal with matters such as how topromote cricket in the other parts of the world including the US and how tokeep it controversy free. So far, the ICC has failed to take any strongdecision or measures to ensure the restoration of international cricket inPakistan.
Though the world governing body had formed a Pakistan specific Task Force acouple of years back, it has not been able to persuade any of the ICC fullmembers to tour here.
Moreover, sources said there was no big breakthrough at the ICC level aboutthe compensation case filed by the PCB against the BCCI for not honouringthe MoUs signed in 2014 for the resumption of the bilateral series.
Though the PCB has filed a case before the ICC Dispute Resolution Committeeagainst the BCCI for the compensation of USD 70 million for not honouringthe MoUs, ICC has shied away from taking up the issue forcefully.
Sources said that both Pakistan and India cricket boards had submittedtheir replies in detail to the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee over theissue of MoUs, but it would take still some more time — around three to sixmonths — before a final decision could be taken on the matter.
According to the MoUs, both Pakistan and India were to play six bilateralseries starting 2015 to 2023, with four to be hosted by Pakistan either athome or in the UAE. But so far not a single series has been held.