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Ball in BCCI's court for India-Pakistan series, says Najam Sethi

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Kolkata: Pakistan Cricket Board chief Najam Sethi feels that resumption of bilateral Indo-Pak cricketing ties is solely dependent on India's will.

The prevailing socio-political relations between the two neighbouring nations and security situations has brought bilateral series to a grinding halt.

The BCCI can only go ahead and play a bilateral series only if the Central government permits. Right now, the two countries only play in multi-team events like 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy, World T20 or Asia Cup.

"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," Sethi said.

"My sense is that all this is a melting pot and at some stage or the other, we will have to have a good resolution."

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.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss the issue as per orders of the tribunal. There's going to be no comments on that issue. Those are the orders of the tribunal."

As per the newly drafted FTP, India have slots for Pakistan series, but it won't happen till the clearance comes from the Indian government.

"Our position is that we are okay with what's been allocated right now but this is subject to the decision of the tribunal. Because, obviously it's a case that's still pending and our currently is subject to whatever resolution that finally finds.

"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."

The PCB chairman also felt that media should play a proactive role in resumption of cricket between the two countries as there has been just one bilateral tour since 2008, when Pakistan visited India to play two Twenty20s and three ODIs in December 2012 and January 2013.

"I'm just surprised that there's not sufficient media pressure here in India for resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. I am sure the people of the two countries want to see cricket between the two countries. There's a lot of goodwill on both sides so let's hope that the issue can be resolved in the interest of the fans. There's no rough weather between the two Boards. There's no problem at all," Sethi said in an assuring tone.

Pakistan star all-rounder Shahid Afridi recently has predicted that the hugely popular Pakistan Super League would become bigger leaving "behind" the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

Sethi did not wish to comment on Afridi's statement but said they are trying their best to bring PSL back home.

"It's unfortunate that given a situation -- a hangover from the past (2009 terrorist attack) we are still unable to play all our matches. But we are taking (small steps) to bring PSL back to Pakistan, as we are hoping that bilateral cricket will also come back to Pakistan.

"PSL is very popular at home. It receives the highest possible ratings ever in the history of Pakistan TV and broadcast medium. Our effort is to bring PSL to Pakistan so that we can play all our matches at home.

Sethi, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, said there's a ray of hope as the 2018 Emerging Teams' Asia Cup will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"Another important step in this direction is that the ACC has just agreed that the Emerging Asia Cup will be played partly in Pakistan and partly in Sri Lanka. Absolutely, we are just hoping that everything returns to normalcy between India and Pakistan," he said.

Players behaviour will be one of the agenda in the five-day ICC meeting that got underway yesterday.

Sethi said PCB takes a very dim view of cheating of any form -- ball tampering or match fixing -- and ICC should take stringent measures.

"Cheating of any sort should be looked down upon. Strict measures should be taken to punish those indulging in cheating. Match-fixing, spot-fixing, ball-tampering are all instances of cheating. We should have very strict punishments for these. Therefore now the ICC should be taking strong measures against it.

"The current PCB takes a very very dim view of any cheating, match-fixing and spot-fixing. We have already punished two or three players very severely. We take a very strong view. I hope and expect all other Boards will also strong view of such instances."

Shashank Manohar's extension as the chairman will be one of the key points of discussion as the member nations of the ICC.

Asked whether he would he an unanimous choice, he said they will cross the bridge when it comes.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...eries-says-pcb-chief-najam-sethi-1726915.html
 
"I'm just surprised that there's not sufficient media pressure here in India for resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

Because really not desperate for cricket match with any particular country.If it happened fine otherwise doesn’t matter.

Except Nazam Sethi I don’t think any one really desperate for this series.
 
That ship unfortunately sailed when you dragged BCCI to the ICC tribunal after multiple public threats of legal action. You don't fight someone in the court and expect the other side to be agreeable to your demand. Unless the Govt changes its mind and gives a green signal, which looks improbable now, highly unlikely we will have any series till 2019.
 
Ball was/is in BCCI court since 2012.It will continue to be BCCI's call as it should be because it needs govt permission.

PCB and its empty threats need to stop if PCB has any chance of playing a series.
 
Ahem, the ball's been in BCCI court for a long while now. You've been asking for it for quite some time now.
 
Why should Indian media and people ask for matches with Pakistan. We both have plenty of countries to play with. When PCB is taking BCCI to a tribunal to resolve an unwanted MOU and expect us to enjoy the matches. Unlike Pakistan Indian populace follows governments diktat in most matters, so they do not see anything wrong if govt says we cannot play Pakistan. Indian media for that matter any media usually caters to the local populace so that is the reason may be they are not promoting Aman ki asha in cricket. Does Pakistan media cry out saying we need play with India. I have never seen it so what is the big deal if Indian media does not say it.
 
Something very interesting here that Sethi said


"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"


So if the ICC rules in favour of PCB there wont be any cash but Indo Pak series?

Lol. As if ICC can overrule the govt of India. Which world are they living in?


"
Firstly, the two sides need to play each other for the sake of the people of the sub-continent."


No Mr Sethi thats a wrong assumption.
 
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi claimed that India's "strict" visa regime forced him to take an arduous journey for the ongoing ICC meeting in Kolkata, a claim that was brushed aside by the Ministry of External Affairs as "not a big deal".

Sethi claimed that he had to take a 19-hour journey for coming from Lahore to Kolkata.

"It has taken me 19 hours to get here and I was subjected to a lot of inconvenience and hardships. If we had been given a proper Visa, it just takes two hours to get here from Lahore," Sethi said.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, who is currently in China, said due procedure is followed for all visa applications.

"It's not a big deal. There is a certain process that's followed for people of both the countries. Whenever an Indian travels to Pakistan he or she also has to go through a certain process," Kumar said.

"In this specific case, he (Sethi) has come here for a specific purpose to attend a meeting in Kolkata. So, he was given a one-city Visa. He can complain or say anything but there's absolutely nothing new in it," he added..

Sethi, who is accompanied by chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed, claimed he had to travel via Dubai to New Delhi before boarding a flight to Kolkata.

The PCB officials landed in Kolkata around 10pm on Sunday night.

"The Visa regime is so strict that we could not fly directly from Pakistan to Delhi, or Pakistan to Kolkata," he said.

"I had to take a flight from Lahore to Dubai, then Dubai to Delhi and then to Kolkata," he said.

A PCB delegation is visiting India for the first time after 2015. That delegation had come to discuss resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between the two arch-rivals.

The meeting was, however, disrupted after Shiv Sena activists stormed into the BCCI headquarters to protest.

http://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/rep...dian-visa-regime-mea-says-nothing-new-2607813
 
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi claimed that India's "strict" visa regime forced him to take an arduous journey for the ongoing ICC meeting in Kolkata, a claim that was brushed aside by the Ministry of External Affairs as "not a big deal".

Sethi claimed that he had to take a 19-hour journey for coming from Lahore to Kolkata.

"It has taken me 19 hours to get here and I was subjected to a lot of inconvenience and hardships. If we had been given a proper Visa, it just takes two hours to get here from Lahore," Sethi said.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, who is currently in China, said due procedure is followed for all visa applications.

"It's not a big deal. There is a certain process that's followed for people of both the countries. Whenever an Indian travels to Pakistan he or she also has to go through a certain process," Kumar said.

"In this specific case, he (Sethi) has come here for a specific purpose to attend a meeting in Kolkata. So, he was given a one-city Visa. He can complain or say anything but there's absolutely nothing new in it," he added..

Sethi, who is accompanied by chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed, claimed he had to travel via Dubai to New Delhi before boarding a flight to Kolkata.

The PCB officials landed in Kolkata around 10pm on Sunday night.

"The Visa regime is so strict that we could not fly directly from Pakistan to Delhi, or Pakistan to Kolkata," he said.

"I had to take a flight from Lahore to Dubai, then Dubai to Delhi and then to Kolkata," he said.

A PCB delegation is visiting India for the first time after 2015. That delegation had come to discuss resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between the two arch-rivals.

The meeting was, however, disrupted after Shiv Sena activists stormed into the BCCI headquarters to protest.

http://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/rep...dian-visa-regime-mea-says-nothing-new-2607813

Why not Lahore to Dhaka and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Kathmandu and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Colombo and then to Kolkata?

Its well known that indians and Pakistanis get city specific visas only. And its 3 cities max at a time.
 
Why not Lahore to Dhaka and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Kathmandu and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Colombo and then to Kolkata?

Its well known that indians and Pakistanis get city specific visas only. And its 3 cities max at a time.

Why not Lahore to Kolkata directly? Didn't Pakistan team travel directly to Kolkata when they landed for T20 WC?
 
Why not Lahore to Kolkata directly? Didn't Pakistan team travel directly to Kolkata when they landed for T20 WC?

Dont think there is a Lahore to Kol flight. When Shehryar khan came at the funeral of Dalmiya he came via Dhaka Route.
 
Dont think there is a Lahore to Kol flight. When Shehryar khan came at the funeral of Dalmiya he came via Dhaka Route.

I see. I remember an Air India flight from Lahore to Kolkata thru Delhi. Don't know why he had to add Dubai as a transit point here
 
I don't think there are any direct flights the Indian group who attended a film festival recently said they had to go to Dubai from Indian cities and then go to Karachi. May be Mr Sethi could have gone to Wagha border to India and from Amritsar to Calcutta. Even from Dubai There are direct flights of etihad and emirTes flying to Calcutta so need for a Delhi pit stop.
 
Dont think there is a Lahore to Kol flight. When Shehryar khan came at the funeral of Dalmiya he came via Dhaka Route.

The only PIA flight that goes to India is from Lahore to New Delhi.

I am not sure why SK did not take that flight and then take a connection to Kolkata? :13:
 
The only PIA flight that goes to India is from Lahore to New Delhi.

I am not sure why SK did not take that flight and then take a connection to Kolkata? :13:

May be his port of entry was Kolkata. You cannot change your port of entry as mentioned in your visa.

Thats why Sethi had to fly to Dubai then to kolkata via delhi.
 
For the sake of people of the sub-continent? He talks as if only Pakistan and India teams matters from the SC. The people from subcontinent are doing just fine without a cricket between these two nations.
 
As said before I have no problem if we never play India again. I am more then happy to live with the memory that we thrashed them by 200 runs when we last played them that in a major ICC final too. PCB understandably want the money that comes with playing India however most Pak fans couldn't care less.
 
Why not Lahore to Dhaka and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Kathmandu and then to Kolkata? Or Lahore to Colombo and then to Kolkata?

Its well known that indians and Pakistanis get city specific visas only. And its 3 cities max at a time.

Well that way he can't stop in Dubai for some RnR. And can't whine about India, which he knows his media and awaam lap up like its freshly made kheer.
 
For the sake of people of the sub-continent? He talks as if only Pakistan and India teams matters from the SC. The people from subcontinent are doing just fine without a cricket between these two nations.

Nah, no one wants to see Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, India or Sri Lanka vs India.
 
The Pakistan Cricket Board chief, Najam Sethi, has rubbished speculations that he would meet Indian union ministers to get clarity on the India-Pakistan bilateral series.

Ever since Sethi and the board’s chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed, were granted Indian visas for the International Cricket Council meeting in Kolkata; speculations were rife that the PCB chief could meet some of the top union ministers and a few ministry officials in New Delhi to get a clearer idea on the future of Indo-Pak cricketing relations.

“I have no plans to meet any Indian government officials on any matter,” Sethi told Sportstar from Kolkata on Monday. “I will only meet Rahul (Johri) and Amitabh (Chaudhary) during the meeting. That’s it.”

While he indicated that the commencement of the India-Pakistan series depends a lot on the Indian government, Sethi did not want to speak much about the compensation issue — which is being looked into by the ICC.

The PCB has claimed $70 million as compensation against India for refusing to play a bilateral series, violating a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral tournaments between 2015 and 2023. “The India-Pakistan dispute is before the ICC. We are not allowed to comment. No bilateral talks on this issue are planned either,” the seasoned administrator stated.

While the PCB chief made it clear that the ICC meeting will not have much Pakistan-specific agenda and will discuss the ‘routine matters’, he was happy to have brought international cricket to Pakistan.

ALSO READ: Absence of players’ Associations in India and Pakistan is a big concern for FICA

“The ICC has put the matter of return of international cricket to Pakistan amongst the top objectives of its strategic plans. It is also helping oversee security arrangements for teams wanting to visit Pakistan,” Sethi said, drawing reference to last year’s ICC World XI tour to Lahore.

But then, what will be PCB’s stand if Shashank Manohar, the present ICC chairman, is offered an extension? “I understand that the candidates for the ICC chair will be nominated soon. We shall take a decision after that.”

Earlier, Sethi had indicated that the PCB was looking at Malaysia as its overseas ‘home venue’ after the Emirates Cricket Board decided to host the Afghanistan Premier League in the UAE.

“Malaysia will become an alternative venue option for us if the Emirates Cricket Board creates a conflict of interest situation by sanctioning any Leagues in the UAE during the period October to March when all our fixtures are scheduled in Dubai and Sharjah,” Sethi admitted.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...dian-government-officials/article23648454.ece
 
I don't think there are any direct flights the Indian group who attended a film festival recently said they had to go to Dubai from Indian cities and then go to Karachi. May be Mr Sethi could have gone to Wagha border to India and from Amritsar to Calcutta. Even from Dubai There are direct flights of etihad and emirTes flying to Calcutta so need for a Delhi pit stop.

His Visas were only valid for City of Kolkata, so dont think he could take flights from Amritsar.
 
What PCB has is letter of intent not binding contract: BCCI

KOLKATA: Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary once again stated Indian cricket board's long-standing position that BCCI "never signed any contract" with PCB with regards to bilateral series.

Pakistani cricket authorities claim that their Indian counterparts have violated a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

The PCB is seeking $70 million in compensation as a dispute resolution panel of the ICC will hear the claim in October.

"It's a statement of intent and not a contract. I don't blame them for sticking to the letter. But it is not a contract," Choudhary told reporters on the sidelines of the ICC quarterly meeting on Monday.

"They have their own pressure at home which I understand," he said indicating to a letter dated April 9, 2014 written by the erstwhile secretary Sanjay Patel to PCB chairman Najam Sethi.

According to the letter, BCCI and PCB agree that the senior men's cricket teams of India and Pakistan will play each other but the letter will have "no effect" if the resolutions are not passed at the ICC Annual Conference in June 2014.

"The BCCI and PCB acknowledge that the is letter has arisen in the context of the resolutions which have been tabled at the ICC Executive Board meeting on February 8 2014 relating to a new financial model and governance structure for the ICC including the third in a series of six resolutions relating to all Full members entering into a series of agreements with one another providing for agreed FTP content between 2015-2023...

"And as such if those resolutions are not passed at the ICC Annual Conference in June, 2014 by directors nominated by Full Members of the ICC at that meeting and the representatives of Associate Members and the 4 ICC Zonal representatives, then this letter shall be of no effect," the letter, which has a counter sign of the PCB, said.

Chaudhary further said BCCI was lagging behind in hosting day-night Tests as Hyderabad or Rajkot in the series against West Indies in October is set to host a Pink ball Test.

"Only India and Bangladesh have not played a day-night Test. Every other country has played a day/night Test. That means we are lagging behind."

"I had consulted the team management, the selectors, the office bearers of the BCCI and all were in agreement that one of the two Tests this season against the West Indies should be a Day-Night match," he said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ntract-bcci/articleshow/63886370.cms?from=mdr
 
I guess Mr. Sethi was expecting some special treatment. Thanks to BCCI & ICC, they were granted visas or else it would have been a difficult affair.
 
What PCB has is letter of intent not binding contract: BCCI

KOLKATA: Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary once again stated Indian cricket board's long-standing position that BCCI "never signed any contract" with PCB with regards to bilateral series.

Pakistani cricket authorities claim that their Indian counterparts have violated a 2014 memorandum of understanding under which the two were to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

The PCB is seeking $70 million in compensation as a dispute resolution panel of the ICC will hear the claim in October.

"It's a statement of intent and not a contract. I don't blame them for sticking to the letter. But it is not a contract," Choudhary told reporters on the sidelines of the ICC quarterly meeting on Monday.

"They have their own pressure at home which I understand," he said indicating to a letter dated April 9, 2014 written by the erstwhile secretary Sanjay Patel to PCB chairman Najam Sethi.

According to the letter, BCCI and PCB agree that the senior men's cricket teams of India and Pakistan will play each other but the letter will have "no effect" if the resolutions are not passed at the ICC Annual Conference in June 2014.

"The BCCI and PCB acknowledge that the is letter has arisen in the context of the resolutions which have been tabled at the ICC Executive Board meeting on February 8 2014 relating to a new financial model and governance structure for the ICC including the third in a series of six resolutions relating to all Full members entering into a series of agreements with one another providing for agreed FTP content between 2015-2023...

"And as such if those resolutions are not passed at the ICC Annual Conference in June, 2014 by directors nominated by Full Members of the ICC at that meeting and the representatives of Associate Members and the 4 ICC Zonal representatives, then this letter shall be of no effect," the letter, which has a counter sign of the PCB, said.

Chaudhary further said BCCI was lagging behind in hosting day-night Tests as Hyderabad or Rajkot in the series against West Indies in October is set to host a Pink ball Test.

"Only India and Bangladesh have not played a day-night Test. Every other country has played a day/night Test. That means we are lagging behind."

"I had consulted the team management, the selectors, the office bearers of the BCCI and all were in agreement that one of the two Tests this season against the West Indies should be a Day-Night match," he said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ntract-bcci/articleshow/63886370.cms?from=mdr

That is what is at the heart of the issue. It is not a contract. It is an MOU based on certain conditions and those conditions have not been met which makes the MOU useless.

All the hoopla around BCCI digging deep to build a strong case is just a drama. They just want to show that they have 'intent' to honor despite the MOU not being a contract but can't because of GOI. They can use the GOI card for years and don't want to leave that rhetoric.
 
For the sake of people of the sub-continent? He talks as if only Pakistan and India teams matters from the SC. The people from subcontinent are doing just fine without a cricket between these two nations.

This guy is full of himself not playing Cricket is least of the concerns for sub continent people.He is just trying to fool Pakistanis
 
PCB says it has conditionally accepted the newly drafted FTP which doesn't have any Pakistan vs India games slotted. According to Najam Sethi, it is subject to the decision of dispute resolution committee, if verdict comes in Pak's favor then ICC will have to change the FTP
 
PCB says it has conditionally accepted the newly drafted FTP which doesn't have any Pakistan vs India games slotted. According to Najam Sethi, it is subject to the decision of dispute resolution committee, if verdict comes in Pak's favor then ICC will have to change the FTP

Oh, the sense of entitlement!

Is he too stupid to realize that even if PCB wins the verdict (that can happen given the politics at ICC), BCCI is under no obligation to play Pak bilaterally in the future?
 
Oh, the sense of entitlement!

Is he too stupid to realize that even if PCB wins the verdict (that can happen given the politics at ICC), BCCI is under no obligation to play Pak bilaterally in the future?

Unless ofcourse the ICC supercedes the GOI.
 
India don't play Pakistan till 2023, PCB challenges BCCI at ICC meet

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi on Wednesday stood by his claim that they have a 'contract' with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

"We say it's a binding contract, let them decide whether it's a contract or not. We have challenged it. This question will be decided by the dispute resolution committee of the ICC. We will wait for the dispute resolution," Sethi told IANS on the sidelines of the ICC meeting.

The PCB is seeking $70 million compensation and has initiated dispute resolution proceedings against the BCCI.

A three-member ICC panel will settle the dispute in a hearing in Dubai in October.

Meanwhile, Sethi also said India have not slotted Pakistan in its FTP draft submitted to the ICC for 2019-23.

"India have not slotted any games. That's consistent with India's position. What's consistent with our position is we say there's a contract and India have to play or give us compensation."

BCCI Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had said the that BCCI "never signed any contract" with PCB with regards to bilateral series and it was a 'statement of intent.'

"If the dispute resolution committee says we don't have a case then this FTP is okay. If they say India do not have a case then ICC will have to change this FTP.

"We have put our reservations and our conditional acceptance to it subject to the decision of the dispute reservation committee. We have challenged it," Sethi said.

Asked about speculation that ICC Champions Trophy will be tweaked to a WorldT20, the PCB will go with the majority.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday ruled out losing the 2021 Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup over tax issues, saying they remain confident of getting government exemptions for both the events.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suffered a revenue shortfall after the Indian government refused to exempt the 2016 World Twenty20 competition held in the country and there has not been any change in that stance, despite BCCI's dogged persuasion since then.

Fearing a repeat loss, the ICC said in February it was exploring alternative venues for the Champions Trophy while the Indian board would continue negotiations.

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said the board was optimistic of convincing the government.

"The matter is not closed, please understand," Chaudhary told reporters on the sidelines of the quarterly ICC meetings in Kolkata.

"It is still under consideration. As you know, tax matters take long, even assessments take long, very long. Don't worry."

According to the ICC, such exemptions are a "standard practice for major sporting events around the world". Chaudhary said BCCI officials, past and present, recognise that and have been relentlessly persuading it with the government.

He added that the ICC threat to relocate the Champions Trophy might help the board's efforts in the end.

"Sometimes, such things help. Maybe tax authorities will think we'd be responsible if these events are taken away from India' and grant tax exemption," Chaudhary said.

He also said the ICC management has decided to study the kind of concession the government in the United Kingdom offers to European soccer's governing body UEFA for hosting events such as the Champions League final and "see if a parallel can be drawn".

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...hallenges-bcci-at-icc-meet-1220273-2018-04-25
 
the ball has been in the Indian side of the court for more than a decade.. It is India who decides when to have the series.. it shouldn't be this way, but it is.. Pak can change it by stopping/begging for a series and take the ball back to their side of the court
 
Communication called 'contract'

Calcutta: Days after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) produced a communication from Najam Sethi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, to Sanjay Patel, the BCCI's secretary in 2014, the PCB has responded with what it insists is a "contract" bearing Patel's signature which was sent to Sethi.

And, to cap it all, it has Sethi's signature as well.

"There was no communication from our side on March 9 that year. Instead, there was one from Mr Patel to Mr Sethi on April 9 which we regard as a contract...

"Somebody in the BCCI has, obviously, resorted to creative editing is all that I can say at this point in time," a key figure in the PCB set-up told The Telegraph rather caustically on Friday.

While the April 9, 2014, communication does bear Patel's signature, it nevertheless contains the following: "The BCCI and the PCB will enter into a long-term FTP agreement in respect of the above (six) Future Tours."

[The letter made available to this Reporter by the BCCI mentioned five bilateral series only. It had been indexed pages 113 and 114 in the relevant file.]

Also, while the PCB claims it was a contract signed by Patel on behalf of the BCCI, it states: "Please counter-sign this letter where indicated below..."

Surely, such a communication can never be a contract! Has Sethi got something else up his sleeve?

To know, the world must wait till October 1-3, when the International Cricket Council's Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC) panel holds its hearing.

The hearing has been scheduled in Dubai, where the world body is headquartered.

Patel is overseas and, so, wasn't available for comment, but a well-placed source in the BCCI said: "The fundamental issue is not that Patel signed that communication, but that the BCCI did not enter into any Agreement with the PCB."

The well-placed source in the BCCI added: "Contracts are legal documents, not a two-page communication between two parties...

"Let the PCB produce the Agreement."

Subsequent to what was exchanged between Patel and Sethi, the PCB apparently did draft an Agreement and sent it across to the BCCI. It was not inked.

The BCCI's case rests there.

In fact, even the PCB is claiming a "breach of contract" by the BCCI, not reneging on an agreement.

Sethi didn't respond to WhatsApp messages. However, while in Calcutta, he'd made the point that everything would be placed before the "proper forum." In other words, the disputes panel.

Forget the coldness in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, there's little warmth between the BCCI and the PCB too.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/communication-called-contract-226661
 
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