ISLAMABAD – The ICC has constituted a three-member dispute resolutioncommittee to look into Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) USD 60 millioncompensation claim against the BCCI for not honouring the Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU), which required the two countries to play fivebilateral series in an eight year cycle between 2015-2023.
The hearing will take place at the ICC headquarters in Dubai from October1-3. PCB had appealed to ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee, accusing theBCCI of not honouring the Future Tours & Programme (FTP) commitment, whichalso required them to play at least two away series against Pakistan on aneutral venue like the UAE.
“The International Cricket Council today confirmed that the Hon MichaelBeloff QC will chair the Dispute Panel in the matter of proceedings betweenthe Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India,”ICC stated in a release.
“The two other members of the panel, which has been established under theTerms of Reference of the ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, are JanPaulsson and Dr Anabelle Benett AO, SC,” it further said.
The world cricket’s governing body also made it clear that decision of theDispute Panel shall be non-appealable. “The hearing will take place as perarticle 10.4 of the Terms of Reference of the ICC Disputes ResolutionCommittee, the decision of the Dispute Panel shall be non-appealable andshall remain the full and final decision in relation to the matter andbinding on all parties.”
With Indian government not allowing Indian cricket team to engage in anybilateral contest against the neighbouring nation in prevailing politicalcircumstances, the BCCI has no option but to adhere to centre’s strictdiktat.
PCB was banking on their home series against the arch rivals, to fill theircoffers as most of the top international nations have not toured thecountry due to security reasons. “Our contention is pretty simple. We willplay Pakistan in ICC or multi-nation tournaments like Asia Cup but can’tengage in a bilateral series until we get a go-ahead from the uniongovernment.
There are certain sensitive issues that we need to take note of. It’s notthat ICC is unaware of what the circumstances are. The hearing is inOctober and there is still some time. Let’s wait and watch,” a senior BCCIofficial told PTI today.