KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board has got a big boost in the InternationalCricket Council against India.

The 2019-2023 Future Tours Programme (FTP) of the International CricketCouncil (ICC) has been put on hold pending the case regarding the bilateralseries between Pakistan and India which is to be decided by the worldgoverning body’s dispute resolution committee, PCB chairman Najam Sethisaid on Tuesday.

“The proceedings in the case have started. Recently, the ICC disputeresolution committee has asked for witnesses [in the case] from both thesides who were involved in signing the MoU [in 2014] for six bilateralseries during the 2015-2023 cycle. From the Pakistan side, I am thewitness.

The very important thing is that the entire FTP [drafted late last year]has been put on hold due to this case. It is significant to recall that wesigned the FTP subject to the outcome of the dispute,” Sethi said whiletalking to Dawn here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

“Two aspects are crucial in this case. First, the dispute resolutioncommittee is to decide whether or not India is liable [legally responsible]for not honouring the MoU signed with the PCB. Second, if it is decidedthat India is liable, then it has to be decided to what extent it isliable,” he added.

Responding to what impact the case will have on Pakistan’s participation inthe 2018 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in India during September, the PCBchief said the case – purely concerning bilateral series — has no directlink with the Asia Cup.

Commenting on the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, to be held at theNational Stadium later this month, Sethi urged the Karachiites to make thebig game a huge success.