ICC amended 'Big Three' proposal after PCB's stand-off, claims Zaka Ashraf

Reinstated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohammad Zaka Ashraf has claimed that the ICC was forced to make amendments in the draft of the 'Big Three' proposal after their stand against England, India and Australia.

Officials from the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) - the 'Big Three' - outweigh those from other cricket boards who handle the ICC's financial and administrative affairs, for which they have been planning on bringing changes to allow them to take control of the sector.

According to the Express Tribune, however, the scheme is facing strong retaliation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), who believe that its implementation will destroy not only the ethical aspect of cricket, but also the game itself.

Ashraf said that the ICC has been forced to make amendments after PCB's stand against the 'Big Three', adding that the initial strategy was to stop their ideas because it was brought up in haste and without any consultation with other boards.

Ashraf mentioned that the next move would be planned tactfully under the guidance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also PCB's patron-in-chief.

However, the chairman admitted that he is unable to understand the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) late change in allegiance in favour of the proposal even though initially they had been alongside the PCB, CSA and SLC till the end of the two-day ICC meeting.

But Ashraf believes that the BCB may have changed their decision for the betterment of the sport in their country, adding that each country must do what was in its favour.