Absence of series against India results in PCB losing USD 90 million

[Savak]

Absence of series against India results in PCB losing USD 90 million

India have played against Pakistan only in ICC tournaments in the last few years due to the diplomatic tension between the two nations.

Updated: Apr 16, 2020 19:10 IST

Press Trust of India

Karachi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suffered a revenue loss to the tune of USD 90 million in its last media rights deal because of the freezed bilateral cricket ties with India since 2008. India have played against Pakistan only in ICC tournaments in the last few years due to the diplomatic tension between the two nations. A reliable source said PCB’s last five-year deal, which expired this month, included two home series against India. The broadcasters who signed the contract worth 149 million dollars had a condition that the series would be held against India.

“Unfortunately since Pakistan was unable to play the two home series against India as included in the agreement, Ten Sports and PTV the two broadcasters who had taken the rights deducted 90 million dollars of the total sum as per the agreement,” the source said.

The PCB also faced financial disagreements with its last broadcaster over the unscheduled home series against West Indies etc. The source said that the PCB has already started exploring the market to get good money for its international home media rights deal either short or long term.

“The problem is that right now due to the Coronavirus pandemic the situation in the market is bad. In fact the situation for cricket broadcast rights has been poor since last December,” he said. PCB Chairman, Ehsan Mani earlier this week in a podcast had said that the Board was mentally prepared to get bids which would be lower in price than what the Board anticipated.

Mani had insisted that although the PCB had suffered losses because of absence of series against India but it can live without playing them.

Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...-90-million/story-pHGqSQSBErVGw2P9mPOXNK.html

Comments: The PCB TV rights deal with Ten Sports was for approximately $150 million for 5 years out of which $90 million was contingent on 2 series with India. Which means that the PCB only got $60 million from the rest of its cricketing activities with other countries?

How can the PCB negotiate or get a higher price for playing other countries apart from India and not be so heavily dependent on India? Os it it just a harsh reality that the PCB just cannot get big money from playing anyone else apart from India?

 

[Bhaijaan]

90/150 million USD for 5 years was subject to just 2 series with India? This is insane. No wonder BCCI has its head right up in the skies.

 

[Savak]

90/150 million USD for 5 years was subject to just 2 series with India? This is insane. No wonder BCCI has its head right up in the skies.

Lol and the posters here criticized the PCB for lacking self respect and for constantly going to the BCCI with a begging bowl for a cricket series. $90 million is a staggering loss to the PCB and they could have used that money to upgrade their stadiums, academies, domestic cricket and invest in facilities to bring the skills, fitness levels of the players up to modern standards.

The reason why Pakistan is lagging in the rankings in all formats is because the PCB doesn't have the money necessary to keep up with the Big 5.

Just a small example, a player like Michael Hussey used to practice batting for 5-6 hours daily using a bowling machine where one individual would stand behind the machine and feed balls into it and press buttons which would direct the machine to bowl off spin, leg spin, flippers, inswing, outswing, fast bouncers, slower ball bouncers, short of a length, 85 mph, 90 mph, 95 mph. End result was Hussey was able to replicate his practice into international cricket and had the physical and mental stamina to bat for really long periods of time without losing concentration.

Look at the difference a similar regime made to Shan Masood's batting when he decided to go to England in 2017 where he trained and practiced batting in the nets for 3-4 hours daily with Alaistar Cook's coach. His batting has gone up ten notches after that stint and he is now a regular in our test team and could be in our ODI and T-20 teams and Shan got back into the team on merit because he had amassed a lot of runs in domestic cricket. In his first tour back for Pakistan, everyone was shocked at how easily he was handling the pace and bouncers from the South African pacers on those fast pacy bouncy South African wickets where all other Pakistani batsmen were struggling badly. This was a player who was struggling to deal with Philander's and Anderson's bouncers in UAE. This is just a classic example where if a batsman is willing to work hard day in and day out on his game the capacity to excel and improve is unprecedented.

I was reading an article which explains why Pakistani batting talent has dried up or has struggled in the last ten years compared to players from India, Australia, England, New Zealand e.t.c. Pakistan does not have a lot of bowling machines in their academies, even if there is a bowling machine you only have one and it is not international standard, there are only so many people and players who can practice on it for a certain amount of time. So any Pakistani International Batsman who comes to the NCA to work on his batting, his flaws has to personally request an NCA coach to take time out for him, the player has to personally use his own funds to buy a certain amount of balls, he has to arrange for his own net bowlers whatever is available at that point, these net bowlers may not be international standard but they have a maximum capacity to bowl at him for 30-40 minutes before they lose steam completely and get tired and after that the player has no choice but to take a breather or call it a day.

This method is just not efficient. Also according to another article i read, the players from the Big 3 use very heavy bats due to which the quality of the shots they play and how far and hard they manage to hit the ball is unprecedented. But these bats are extremely expensive and the local manufacturers in Pakistan do not have the expertise, technology to built them, replicate them. Only International Pakistani players can afford these bats and they require a lot of practice to get used to them. You can very much imagine the scene with our domestic players.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Can you link these articles? Would love to read

 

[Savak]

Can you link these articles? Would love to read

Which ones?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Which ones?

The ones explaining how batting talent has dried up as well as the one about heavier bats being used

 

[khan_aa]

Lol and the posters here criticized the PCB for lacking self respect and for constantly going to the BCCI with a begging bowl for a cricket series. $90 million is a staggering loss to the PCB and they could have used that money to upgrade their stadiums, academies, domestic cricket and invest in facilities to bring the skills, fitness levels of the players up to modern standards.

The reason why Pakistan is lagging in the rankings in all formats is because the PCB doesn't have the money necessary to keep up with the Big 5.

Just a small example, a player like Michael Hussey used to practice batting for 5-6 hours daily using a bowling machine where one individual would stand behind the machine and feed balls into it and press buttons which would direct the machine to bowl off spin, leg spin, flippers, inswing, outswing, fast bouncers, slower ball bouncers, short of a length, 85 mph, 90 mph, 95 mph. End result was Hussey was able to replicate his practice into international cricket and had the physical and mental stamina to bat for really long periods of time without losing concentration.

Look at the difference a similar regime made to Shan Masood's batting when he decided to go to England in 2017 where he trained and practiced batting in the nets for 3-4 hours daily with Alaistar Cook's coach. His batting has gone up ten notches after that stint and he is now a regular in our test team and could be in our ODI and T-20 teams and Shan got back into the team on merit because he had amassed a lot of runs in domestic cricket. In his first tour back for Pakistan, everyone was shocked at how easily he was handling the pace and bouncers from the South African pacers on those fast pacy bouncy South African wickets where all other Pakistani batsmen were struggling badly. This was a player who was struggling to deal with Philander's and Anderson's bouncers in UAE. This is just a classic example where if a batsman is willing to work hard day in and day out on his game the capacity to excel and improve is unprecedented.

I was reading an article which explains why Pakistani batting talent has dried up or has struggled in the last ten years compared to players from India, Australia, England, New Zealand e.t.c. Pakistan does not have a lot of bowling machines in their academies, even if there is a bowling machine you only have one and it is not international standard, there are only so many people and players who can practice on it for a certain amount of time. So any Pakistani International Batsman who comes to the NCA to work on his batting, his flaws has to personally request an NCA coach to take time out for him, the player has to personally use his own funds to buy a certain amount of balls, he has to arrange for his own net bowlers whatever is available at that point, these net bowlers may not be international standard but they have a maximum capacity to bowl at him for 30-40 minutes before they lose steam completely and get tired and after that the player has no choice but to take a breather or call it a day.

This method is just not efficient. Also according to another article i read, the players from the Big 3 use very heavy bats due to which the quality of the shots they play and how far and hard they manage to hit the ball is unprecedented. But these bats are extremely expensive and the local manufacturers in Pakistan do not have the expertise, technology to built them, replicate them. Only International Pakistani players can afford these bats and they require a lot of practice to get used to them. You can very much imagine the scene with our domestic players.

Well this seems like a very critical issue. Why not focus on obtaining these machines before anything? Making it a top priority

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] you have to perform and show whatever you have. We can not beg an enemy to play us again and again.

 

[Vastunna]

Explains why PCB makes a statement every 3rd week about playing an Indian series. 75% of your revenue via TV rights is dependent on this. Staggering. Shows why all this bravado against BCCI is just show off and why BCCI weilds that kind of power.

 

[MABA]

Since the last deal was in 2015, PCB probably figured they would play India at some point in the next 5 years. Any deal going forward probably will not have any India clause. Situation in 2015 vs now is completely different.

 

[Savak]

Since the last deal was in 2015, PCB probably figured they would play India at some point in the next 5 years. Any deal going forward probably will not have any India clause. Situation in 2015 vs now is completely different.

Ehsan Mani has realistically acknowledged this. The PCB broadcast deal with ten sports has now expired and they will now have to renegotiate a new broadcast deal factoring in no home series with India. Problem is the broadcasters will now pay the PCB significantly less and it remains to be seen how can the PCB get the highest possible price even without any cricket with India.

This is my main gripe with the PCB, all these years they should have thought of other avenues and look to bring in revenue from other sources rather than rely on broadcast money and money from an Indian series alone. For how long will our stadiums, academies, U19, a teams domestic cricket structure and facilities suffer and Pakistan Cricket remain ten years behind the big 5?

 

[Savak]

Explains why PCB makes a statement every 3rd week about playing an Indian series. 75% of your revenue via TV rights is dependent on this. Staggering. Shows why all this bravado against BCCI is just show off and why BCCI weilds that kind of power.

The BCCI knows this which is why it is loving this situation. Pakistan in this time period had other sporting ties with India, Pakistani artists were able to work in India. Don't think the Indian govt really cared whether the two nations played cricket in Pakistan but nope the BCCI just didn't want the PCB to make any money at all.

 

[Savak]

Well this seems like a very critical issue. Why not focus on obtaining these machines before anything? Making it a top priority

These machines are not cheap, they are very b expensive and the PCB doesn't have an unlimited money supply

 

[liam26]

Does BCCI have anything to gain by playing with PCB? This is a Master-Slave relationship with one side begging for resumption of ties.

Whats the need to play and defeat Pakistan on-field when there is even a more sweeter way of dealing with them off-field , something that hurts them financially many more times than any sporting defeat could ever.

 

[Hitman]

Forget Indo-Pak bilateral series as long as BJP is at the helm of affairs. Makes me sick to my stomach.

 

[Savak]

Does BCCI have anything to gain by playing with PCB? This is a Master-Slave relationship with one side begging for resumption of ties.

Whats the need to play and defeat Pakistan on-field when there is even a more sweeter way of dealing with them off-field , something that hurts them financially many more times than any sporting defeat could ever.

This has been the problem for the last 10-15 years. Sure the BCCI can make $100-120 million with a single series with Pakistan in their home country but why bother when you can make $50-60 million per series with other countries, they are not starved for cash and can make very good money by playing other countries around the world. Bottomline BCCI can financially comfortably afford to avoid Pakistan but unfortunately for the PCB, they have no such luxury for the time being.

The BCCI does not mind the other cricketing nations from making big money of it but they will do everything to ensure Pakistani Cricket bleeds while at the same time ensuring they have all the other member boards on their side.

The onus is on the PCB to find a way to keep its finances solid without dependence on the BCCI. This is where Wasim Khan with his ECB contacts, Ehsan Mani with his ICC contacts and Imran Khan as the PCB patron with his international appeal are best placed to help Pakistan Cricket out in this cross roads.

Unless Pakistan develops a solid team with exciting eye catching consistent match winners, there is going to be no broad casting, fan and stakeholder pressure on the BCCI to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan

 

[Vastunna]

IPL completely changed the dynamic for both BCCI and PCB. BCCI now has money flowing in left right and center thanks to IPL and they have terrific relation with CA and ECB. They can afford to avoid a Pakistan series with out losing a wink of sleep. On the other side PCB really lost big time due to IPL. Now they have very less leverage with BCCI as they are not dependent on Pak series to bring in big monies.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Does BCCI have anything to gain by playing with PCB? This is a Master-Slave relationship with one side begging for resumption of ties.

Whats the need to play and defeat Pakistan on-field when there is even a more sweeter way of dealing with them off-field , something that hurts them financially many more times than any sporting defeat could ever.

Pre-IPL BCCI definitely benefitted immensely from Pakistan matches.

But IPL came and it's been huge. BCCI makes a LOT of money from it.

But Pakistan can also make a lot of money from PSL and their own cricket. They just need sustained cricket at home and like Savak said being realistic about their valuation without playing India.

You cannot be hating on BCCI but at the same time estimating a higher self valuation that involves matches with India.

 

[Markhor]

The challenge for PCB is how to make the upcoming television rights deal as lucrative as possible without the possibility of a money spinning bilateral series with India.

They maybe can try to maximise cricket against big teams like England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Home internationals returning to Pakistan with the prospect of packed stands must help too.

However the problem for non-Big 3 teams is that there just isn't enough money to be made from bilateral cricket generally, hence the push from ICC, which PCB supports, to introduce another ICC event in the next cycle.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

BCCI got rich with the IPL. PSL can definitely be our answer to BCCI. It has very huge potential which is yet to be realized. We're bound to see benefits now that the entire league will be held in Pakistan itself. Al in all, Indian series should be replaced by PSL and PCB can gain back most of the losses from there.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Just to support my statement, PSL's broadcast rights value is currently $36 million. This is until 2022. Last time there was a rise by 358%. Even if we consider 300% rise for the next deal, PCB will be richer by $108 million more. Indian series my foot. They can go to hell for all I care.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25586767/psl-secures-358-rise-new-broadcast-deal

 

[cricketjoshila]

Just to support my statement, PSL's broadcast rights value is currently $36 million. This is until 2022. Last time there was a rise by 358%. Even if we consider 300% rise for the next deal, PCB will be richer by $108 million more. Indian series my foot. They can go to hell for all I care.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25586767/psl-secures-358-rise-new-broadcast-deal

5 years of psl brings 36mn

2 india series would have brought 90mn

Do the maths.

And those 36mn are shared with franchises.

 

[Geil]

Pakistan cricket is on a all time low at this moment, What Pakistan need right now is the way they played their cricket in 90"s to bring in more and more support and fan-base back to cricket

When Pakistan starts playing well then than would make BCCI or Indian cricket look bad when they refuse to play bilateral series against Pakistan

Pakistan is a mediocre team and have been since the spot-fixing saga with only CT2017 success to show, if such mediocrity remains in Pakistan cricket then expect other cricket boards to also not listen to PCB and support the BCCI agenda

 

[Savak]

Pakistan cricket is on a all time low at this moment, What Pakistan need right now is the way they played their cricket in 90"s to bring in more and more support and fan-base back to cricket

When Pakistan starts playing well then than would make BCCI or Indian cricket look bad when they refuse to play bilateral series against Pakistan

Pakistan is a mediocre team and have been since the spot-fixing saga with only CT2017 success to show, if such mediocrity remains in Pakistan cricket then expect other cricket boards to also not listen to PCB and support the BCCI agenda

Having a Misbah ul Haq infested brand of Cricket as captain and coach is not going to excite any fan or broadcaster interest.

 

[Geil]

Having a Misbah ul Haq infested brand of Cricket as captain and coach is not going to excite any fan or broadcaster interest.

Pakistan always had a unique or say exciting characters in their team like
Inzamam with his funny run outs, Akhtar controversial and fast, Afridi boom boom or phuss phuss to name a few

however they played they were expressive and were entertaining, the current team seems to be pushed to its limits to be a different kind of a team which Pakistan is usually an expressive team

Now is this Misbah"s fault right from being appointed the captain of the team to being coach is still too early to say but he could be one of the main reason

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan always had a unique or say exciting characters in their team like
Inzamam with his funny run outs, Akhtar controversial and fast, Afridi boom boom or phuss phuss to name a few

however they played they were expressive and were entertaining, the current team seems to be pushed to its limits to be a different kind of a team which Pakistan is usually an expressive team

Now is this Misbah"s fault right from being appointed the captain of the team to being coach is still too early to say but he could be one of the main reason

I agree with this post somewhat.

Current Pakistani team has been timid. Previous Pakistani teams were more spirited and fun to watch.

I don't think it is fault of Misbah alone. It is a combination of many factors. Pakistan needs attacking cricket back.

 

[sweep_shot]

Forget Indo-Pak bilateral series as long as BJP is at the helm of affairs. Makes me sick to my stomach.

You nailed it.

A series is unlikely while BJP is in power.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You nailed it.

A series is unlikely while BJP is in power.

A series is unlikely whoever is in power. They will get ranmed in the media and in the parliament.

Remember it was the congress govt that suspended ties in 2008.

 

[sweep_shot]

A series is unlikely whoever is in power. They will get ranmed in the media and in the parliament.

Remember it was the congress govt that suspended ties in 2008.

India and Pakistan played a series in 2013.

I think ties will probably resume if Congress comes to power.

 

[Savak]

India and Pakistan played a series in 2013.

I think ties will probably resume if Congress comes to power.

Zaka Ashraf being the naive individual that he was decided to give up the PCB's right to host the the Indian side for a home series and instead exchange that for an Indian T20 and ODI series in India where the BCCI ended up raking in all the moolah and the PCB getting nothing. He defended his decision that everything is not always about money and that he just wanted to see cricketing ties resumed regardless of where the series was held. End result the BCCI never played the PCB in a bilateral series again

 

[cricketjoshila]

India and Pakistan played a series in 2013.

I think ties will probably resume if Congress comes to power.

They are out of power because of that too. They got slammed in the media and in the parliament and by the public.

 

[Saj]

I'd hope that PCB's future budget forecasts include zero revenue from matches versus India........as it's not going to happen.

Move on.

 

[Savak]

Another thing to consider is that the state of the PCB and Pakistani Cricket reflects the state of the Pakistani economy. India since the 90's has flourished economically whereas the PPP and PML N have bled Pakistan's coffers dry during their 20 years of loot and plunder due to which the current and future generations will have to pay. Can't expect the PCB, Pakistan Cricket to be on the upswing when the nations economy is in tatters

 

[andy0204]

A series is unlikely whoever is in power. They will get ranmed in the media and in the parliament.

Remember it was the congress govt that suspended ties in 2008.

Both countries have a history of not playing against each other.

They didn't played in 60's till late 70's.

In 90's as well they didn't played until that infamous 1999 series.

We can't guarantee that this will be last forever.
One day someone will start this series,it might happen in next decade.

 

[Savak]

Both countries have a history of not playing against each other.

They didn't played in 60's till late 70's.

In 90's as well they didn't played until that infamous 1999 series.

We can't guarantee that this will be last forever.
One day someone will start this series,it might happen in next decade.

Situation in the past is different from now, from the 60's to the 90's, BCCI was at par with the PCB when it came to finances, however the last 20 years the financial disparity between the boards has become pronounced and now the BCCI enjoys the monopoly situation where it gets to decide who they desire to play and not.

Personally speaking the PCB, the Pakistani govt and the people of Pakistan in general are responsible for Pakistan lagging behind. You deliberately vote for the most blatantly corrupt Political parties who have imposed $100 billion in foreign debts with nothing to show for the countries economy, infrastructure and human development, you will get left behind compared to other countries.

 

[chinaman00]

It’s not just the BCCI and cricket, Pakistan has to completely look away and disassociate itself from India. For the PCB, focusing on investing in the PSL, better stadiums, enlarging the fanbase and empowering exciting players and management. A competitive Pakistan cricket will change the dynamics in Pakistan’s favor.

No more Misbah and the other shenanigans

 

[Iqbal'sh]

Since the last deal was in 2015, PCB probably figured they would play India at some point in the next 5 years. Any deal going forward probably will not have any India clause. Situation in 2015 vs now is completely different.

Quite correct, the deal in 2015 would have been after the vote to accept the changes of the Big 3. Pakistan were convinced to alter their stance after India agreed to play 6 series between 2015-2022 with Pakistan getting projected revenues of $200m from 4 of those series.

 

[basitmian]

The correct question is how much BCCI is losing or not standing to gain by not playing Pakistan?

 

[ManFan]

Serves them right for being fools and voting for the Big Three.

I don’t know at what stage Shahryar Khan was at his progressive senile age when he agreed to this.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

If Pakistan cricket survived the 2009-2013 era; we can survive anything.

Contrary to popular belief at PP, I think these days PCB are less desperate than ever for a Pak-Ind series.

"Losing" is a very strong word; it is more like "potentially not earning" the 90 million dollars.

PCB got its own tamasha league and hopefully after Covid-19, other teams will start visiting Pakistan!

 

[Savak]

Serves them right for being fools and voting for the Big Three.

I don’t know at what stage Shahryar Khan was at his progressive senile age when he agreed to this.

The PCB back then were the only board to oppose the Big 3 proposal back then till the end while the other boards one by one voted in favour of the BCCI

 

[Savak]

Quite correct, the deal in 2015 would have been after the vote to accept the changes of the Big 3. Pakistan were convinced to alter their stance after India agreed to play 6 series between 2015-2022 with Pakistan getting projected revenues of $200m from 4 of those series.

Perhaps double the $90 million

 

[ManFan]

The PCB back then were the only board to oppose the Big 3 proposal back then till the end while the other boards one by one voted in favour of the BCCI

Then that means they squealed under the pressure after making a stand.

Even more nauseating.

 

[Savak]

Then that means they squealed under the pressure after making a stand.

Even more nauseating.

At the time a lot of posters here were upset at the PCB for not realistically assessing the situation and for being isolated while the other boards sided with the BCCI and got things in return for their vote

Sethi then got the Mou which turned out to be toilet paper in exchange for the PCB vote for the big 3

 

[viveks]

It's a shame that BCCI are robbing the world of a very interesting set of games and halting the development of an important test playing nation...

 

[MenInG]

From PCB Release:

2020-21 budget

The BoG approved a PKR7.76billion operating expenditure budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which is a 10 per cent reduction from the 2019-20 budget as part of the PCB’s austerity, robust financial management and belt-tightening exercise.

Without compromising and reducing any activities from the 2019-20 activities, the PCB has allocated 71.2 per cent of the overall budget for cricket-related activities. This is to ensure that despite tough financial situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, cricket remains unaffected and the PCB continues to invest in the future.

The allocated 71.2 per cent cricket budget includes 25.2 per cent for domestic cricket (events and players/match officials/player support personnel contracts and High Performance Centre costs), 19.3 per cent for international cricket (home/away series and player contracts), 5.5 per cent for women’s cricket (home/away cricket and player contracts), 19.7 per cent for HBL PSL 2021 and 1.5 per cent for Medical and Sport Sciences.

While forecasting shortfall in revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left the fate of revenues from international events hanging in balance and may also affect PCB’s commercial programme, the BoG has agreed to continue investment on infrastructure development by approving a PKR1.22billion budget for capital expenditure, a reduction of approximately PKR800million from 2019-20.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “We have followed a strict cost-benefit and value for money policy while preparing this budget taking into consideration the economic situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The budget caters for all critical business of cricket activities, while the nice-to-have activities have been set aside as part of our cost-cutting measures and to protect our reserves for the future.

“I am also grateful to the BoG for approving the capital expenditure budget, which is aimed at enhancing and improving our infrastructure so that we can provide better experience and facilities to our fans and cricketers, and also develop and upgrade our high performance centres across the country. This will be an important investment as we have submitted an expression of interest for some ICC Events in the 2023-31 cycle and quality cricket infrastructure will be one of the key factors that will determine if we are successful in earning hosting rights of any of the events.

“Over the next 12 months, we will continue to ensure strict financial management and controls, and I remain confident that we will deliver all our objectives as per our five-year strategy and within budget.”

 

[MenInG]

All is well between India and Pakistan at the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has asserted.

“There was absolutely no rift between PCB and BCCI at the Directors meeting. The two-thirds or simple majority was not discussed at all,” Mani confirmed to The Indian Express via a text message.

The ICC Board met on Monday with an eye to finalise the election procedure and timeline for the next ICC chair. The position has fallen vacant after Shashank Manohar stepped down on June 30. At the moment, the global body’s deputy chairman Imran Khwaja is assuming the responsibilities of the chairperson until Manohar’s successor is elected.

The Board meeting yesterday, it is learnt, discussed about the election process but didn’t take any decision. This paper understands that the ICC Board comprising 18 members – chief executive Manu Sawhney doesn’t have a vote – is aiming to pick the next independent chair based on consensus. A BCCI official, too, insisted that there was no falling out between India and Pakistan at the global body.

Given the acute economic crisis, made worse for the Member boards by the postponement of the T20 World Cup this year – it affects the ICC’s revenue stream – almost every cricket nation is banking on bilateral series to generate revenue. With India being the game’s biggest revenue generator, other cricket nations look forward to bilateral series against India. Sources said some Member boards also want the BCCI to assume the leadership mantle at this moment of crisis. The Indian board is willing to build consensus for the next ICC chair.

From that point of view, it is widely believed that the next ICC chair has to have the BCCI’s backing. Manohar’s successor can be someone from India also, or a person backed by the Indian board, although, according to a senior BCCI official, the board is waiting for the election procedure and timeline to be released.

Grapevine has it that the ICC is keeping an eye on the August 17 court hearing, which is a reason for the delay. The Supreme Court is likely to hear the BCCI matter, including the watering down of the cooling-off clause and changes in disqualification criteria that the cricket board has requested for, next week. A lot might depend on whether Sourav Ganguly is allowed to continue as the BCCI president, for the ex-India captain could be a candidate for the independent ICC chair if his term ends here. As per the BCCI constitution, a person needs to serve a mandatory three-year cooling-off after six years in office. Going by the Lodha reforms, both Ganguly and board secretary Jay Shah have supposedly ended their respective term as office-bearers, state association and BCCI combined.

Coming back to India-Pakistan cricket relations, even without any bilateral cricket, the two south Asian giants have always maintained a good rapport – barring the odd exception during Najam Sethi’s time as PCB chairman – at the ICC. Mani, a former ICC president who is widely respected as a cricket administrator, has always hit the right note with his Indian counterparts since the days of the late Jagmohan Dalmiya. Last year, following his appointment as the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) Committee chairman, he had spoken about the India-Pakistan cricket relations.=

“The relationship between the boards (BCCI and PCB) is very good even today. Some very good people represent India at the ICC, both at the Board level and the chief executive level. Unfortunately, as far as cricket relationship is concerned, that is a political matter. Hopefully, the politicians will realise that it’s very important to resume cricket between the countries. Beyond that, I can’t say much,” Mani told this paper then.

As for the ICC Board, it needs to decide whether it will go by the two-thirds majority or a simple majority among 17 members – 12 Full Members, three Associate Members (Malaysia, Scotland and Singapore), interim chairman Khwaja and independent female director Indra Nooyi – to nominate the next independent chair. Or, in all likelihood, will it be done through consensus.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ehsan-mani-pcb-bcci-no-rift-6550752/

 

[Napa]

The BCCI knows this which is why it is loving this situation. Pakistan in this time period had other sporting ties with India, Pakistani artists were able to work in India. Don't think the Indian govt really cared whether the two nations played cricket in Pakistan but nope the BCCI just didn't want the PCB to make any money at all.

The thing which BCCI loves most is money, just like the other cricket boards. Just like PCB is losing money by not playing India, so is BCCI by not playing Pakistan.

It is the Indian government responding to popular pressure that banned bilaterals, not BCCI.