Why didn't BCCI put 'Govt permission' clause in contract, questions PCB chief Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi today questioned BCCI's decision of not incorporating the "permission from central government" clause in the alleged contract to play bilateral series that was inked between the two neighbours.

While BCCI brass has always termed the one-page letter signed by both boards as merely an 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) to play five series in eight years between 2015 to 2023, Pakistan refers to it as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The PCB has sought USD 70 million in compensation claim against India for refusing to play a bilateral series, violating a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. A three-member ICC panel will hear the claim in October.

Right now, the two countries only play in multi-team events like 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy, World T20 or Asia Cup.

"If India comes to Pakistan, they want security and vice-versa because of the political situation. But there is no security issue if we play in a third country, which is what we have been saying. We play our home games in the UAE," Sethi told PTI during an interaction.

"But apparently the BCCI is having difficulty in ensuring that they can do that. They say they don't have government permission. Our position is that why should you require government permission? We don't take government permission. The ICC does not want interference from the government in affairs of cricket boards," Sethi tried to drive home his point.

"In any case, when you were signing the contract, if government permission was such a major issue, you should have put it in the contract, you did not. So what is the problem," he further questioned.

"Firstly, the two sides need to play each other for the sake of the people of the sub-continent. Secondly, the ball is in the BCCI's court. That's it. We hope sooner than later better sense will prevail and the two sides can get back to playing good cricket again,"
"See, right now India has not slotted Pakistan into any of the matches. Our position is that whatever we sign right now is going to be subject to the decision of the tribunal. If the tribunal holds in our favour then the FTP will have to be changed to accordingly."
"From what I hear in the media, the BCCI is not ready to play us even in a neutral venue. Our position is that the whole notion of a neutral venue came up when security was a consideration."
"We sent our security people and they discussed the matter with ICC and BCCI and then the match was moved from Dharamsala to Kolkata for security reasons. And then we played. So security becomes an issue only if sides play in each other's country."