ICC proposes a new Test League, Pakistan likely to oppose

[Abdullah719]

In a fresh bid to lend context to bilateral series, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has proposed a two-year Test league starting August 2019 among the nine full members, barring Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan.

With the proposed league excluding a series between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) is understood to have demanded assurance from its Indian counterpart for bilateral series outside the League window. But Sportstar understands that even if other members – barring Pakistan – agree in principal to the League during the ICC's next board meeting in Auckland in October, the ICC will go ahead with an eight-team league.

Considering the challenge of keeping Test cricket relevant, the ICC Cricket Committee, headed by former India captain and coach Anil Kumble, has been stressing on lending context to bilateral cricket and devising a Test championship. As a result, the ICC has devised a formula through which the top nine members will be involved in six series of at least two Test matches each against six other opponents in a two-year cycle.

A point system will be devised which will have equal weightage to series results as well as match outcomes. The fact that all series will have varied number of matches ranging between two and five will also be factored in so as to to avoid advantage to the big teams who play more matches. Based on the points, the top two teams are likely to face-off in a final in July 2021.

Ever since the ICC presented the proposal to its member boards at a meeting in Dubai in February this year, the world governing body is in close discussions with all the member boards. While most member boards have been positive about the proposal, the BCCI has preferred to keep its cards close to its chest. According to an ICC insider, the ICC and BCCI have been “constantly engaged” about the proposal that could radically change the international calendar.

Besides, the ICC has also devised a two-year 13-team ODI League which will also serve as a qualification tournament for the 2023 World Cup.

In order to help full members respect the commitment with their own broadcasters, the ICC has also created an eight-month window for the full members to be involved in bilateral series which will not be included in either the Test or the ODI Leagues.

Considering the political tension between India and Pakistan, the ICC has not included an India-Pakistan series as part of the Test League. The PCB, however, has informed the ICC that it would support the League provided the ICC and the BCCI assure the PCB of India playing Pakistan outside the League window, which would fetch PCB revenue through broadcasters.

According to the insider, such a threat will not halt the league even if Pakistan doesn't vote in favour of the proposal next month. “Considering the political situation, nobody can give assurance of an India-Pakistan series. If all the other members are on board and Pakistan persists with its threat, the ICC will have no other option but to go ahead with an eight-team League,” he said.

Meanwhile, an ICC delegation is understood to have met with the BCCI representatives and those from Star India, the official broadcaster, to discuss the feasibility of the proposal in separate meetings in Mumbai on Wednesday.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...pakistan-likely-to-oppose/article19764559.ece

 

[CanadianG00se]

So, PCB in a lose-lose situation here. If they vote against the league then they might be left out. If they vote in favour there will still be no India-Pakistan bilaterals.

 

[Messiah]

It's really sad when these politics stuff ruins cricket. Pains me to see these countries being run by corrupt, manipulative people and them getting away with everything. I wonder when we will be able to establish true democracy

 

[Gubol123]

It's really sad when these politics stuff ruins cricket. Pains me to see these countries being run by corrupt, manipulative people and them getting away with everything. I wonder when we will be able to establish true democracy

What democracy has to do with this? India doesn't want to play because government believes not having any bilateral sporting relationship with pakistan is to their benefit. It is a democratically elected government and I don't see anyone coming to streets opposing that policy. And general consensus is that most Indians don't care about the topic...

 

[KingKhanWC]

Why is PCB opposing this?

They should make it clear they are willing to play ALL nations and insist if India refuse they are given the points.

 

[kingusama92]

Why is PCB opposing this?

They should make it clear they are willing to play ALL nations and insist if India refuse they are given the points.

It's about the money.

TV broadcasters have made it clear to the PCB. Play IND or take a reduced deal.

 

[wrongun]

Why is PCB opposing this?

They should make it clear they are willing to play ALL nations and insist if India refuse they are given the points.

I'm not sure that can happen- the announcement said you only have to play 6 other nations over the two years, so India isn't obliged to ever play Pakistan under that system. They never said you have to play the other 2 next time around either- I am sure they left off what would seem a sensible addition for exactly that reason, so that India is never forced to play Pakistan.

I don't understand India's ban on playing Pakistan.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Need a more detailed report to make a proper conclusion on whether it would be feasible to vote or not. At the moment this presser doesn't really give out any relevant details and what finances would it necessarily imply. Plus also the implications of opting out, lobbying against, etc etc.

Too much smoke screen with the India/Pakistan stuff.

 

[IndYeah1]

ICC came up with a compromise solution for the league which asked for each team to play 6 different opponents - i.e. a league that could still function without forcing India to play against Pakistan - obviously BCCI is not going to approve a format that will penalize it for not playing against Pak. Problem with this compromise solution is that Pakistan loses any leverage at the ICC level to pressure BCCI into playing with them.

With or without Pakistan, league is going to go forward.

If Pakistan wants Indian government to approve the cricket, then maybe they should prosecute the likes of Zaki Lakhvi etc. After all, You can't keep poking Indian government in the eye every chance you get, and then expect them to approve a $130 million gift to your cricket board. Work towards peace, and a lot of benefits can happen, cricket is just a small part of that.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I'm not sure that can happen- the announcement said you only have to play 6 other nations over the two years, so India isn't obliged to ever play Pakistan under that system. They never said you have to play the other 2 next time around either- I am sure they left off what would seem a sensible addition for exactly that reason, so that India is never forced to play Pakistan.

I don't understand India's ban on playing Pakistan.

You dont understand Indias ban on playing Pakistan??Really?

 

[sachin100]

What if bcci forfeit points like women cricket team did?

Will the pcb then stop this constant bcci black mail?

 

[JibranAnsari]

pakistan should vote in favor and forget about playing with india.

 

[Convict]

The PCB will have a much easier time convincing the ICC to expand an established Test League to make all nations play every other nation than convincing India to play on their own.

 

[sachin100]

I have read in the same article that if Pakistan goes to court shashank Manohar has told pcb that the chances of bilateral series happening ever are nil.

He told them to wait for the political situation to improve

 

[Blitz]

Only the ICC are moronic enough to propose a league where you don't play everyone.

How does that make sense. Do they know how leagues work?

 

[Yossarian]

It's like the English Premier League where the league consists of Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham and Southampton, but not everyone plays everyone else, and most importantly, Man Utd never play Liverpool.

 

[Yossarian]

A point system will be devised which will have equal weightage to series results as well as match outcomes. The fact that all series will have varied number of matches ranging between two and five will also be factored in so as to to avoid advantage to the big teams who play more matches. Based on the points, the top two teams are likely to face-off in a final in July 2021.

http://www.sportstarlive.com/cricke...pakistan-likely-to-oppose/article19764559.ece

What happens if Pakistan does join the league with Pakistan and India finishing in the top two positions, and thus an India v Pakistan final?

It would mean that the strongest two teams never played against each other in the league stages, which would be a disadvantage to the others

 

[Shutdown Corner]

The PCB will have a much easier time convincing the ICC to expand an established Test League to make all nations play every other nation than convincing India to play on their own.

Thats essentially what they are trying to do. Only other teams that refuse to play are England and Zimbabwe.

And of course Pakistan-Bangladesh and Pakistan-Afghanistan.

I guess if PCB continues with this nonsensical approach, the solution is to have an 8-4 league with Pakistan groupled with ZIM/IRE/AFG.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

The other issue is that since this Test league is an ICC event, India and Pakistan should be allowed to play.

India plays Pakistan in World Cups, and according to the BCCI, they generate 70% of the World Cup revenue, so of all the money Pakistan gets from ICC events, 70% is from India (according to BCCI calculations). So why not just play bilaterals? Is 50% (India would host half of them) more than 70%???

#veggielogic

 

[cricketjoshila]

The other issue is that since this Test league is an ICC event, India and Pakistan should be allowed to play.

India plays Pakistan in World Cups, and according to the BCCI, they generate 70% of the World Cup revenue, so of all the money Pakistan gets from ICC events, 70% is from India (according to BCCI calculations). So why not just play bilaterals? Is 50% (India would host half of them) more than 70%???

#veggielogic

This isnt an event.Its a league.Its based on bilaterals.

 

[IndYeah1]

Only the ICC are moronic enough to propose a league where you don't play everyone.

How does that make sense. Do they know how leagues work?

Better a league of some kind, than no league.

 

[CricFan2012]

pakistan should vote in favor and forget about playing with india.

yeah especially considering these indian spinners on subcontinent tracks.

our test bowlers are toothless atm

 

[Shutdown Corner]

This isnt an event.Its a league.Its based on bilaterals.

Then the ICC should control the revenue likr a WC. Then it will be an ICC event (it already is).

What is a world cup anyways? Its just a bunch of bilateral matches whose broadcast rights are sold as a package. It can be done here to. But Indians want to play politics with cricket.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

We already have a league, it's called the ICC Team rankings.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Then the ICC should control the revenue likr a WC. Then it will be an ICC event (it already is).

What is a world cup anyways? Its just a bunch of bilateral matches whose broadcast rights are sold as a package. It can be done here to. But Indians want to play politics with cricket.

Why will ICC take control of bilateral series? If India plays a bilateral series in India why should ICC take the money? How can ICC sell something it doesnt own? I know Bangladesh's telecast rights are not of much value but the likes of India,Australia,England sell their home rights for millions of dollars.Infact the broadcaster pays BCCI 7mn USD for 1 match.Why should this money go to ICC?

India will not play any bilateral series with Pakistan.Thats a govt policy.Its been followed in other sports also.

 

[sachin100]

Then the ICC should control the revenue likr a WC. Then it will be an ICC event (it already is).

What is a world cup anyways? Its just a bunch of bilateral matches whose broadcast rights are sold as a package. It can be done here to. But Indians want to play politics with cricket.

U mean to say icc should take over every cricket series just to satisfy pak team?

Why should icc reward Pakistan for their incompetency? For a cricket mad nation if u r not able to make money out of it it shows u r inefficiency.

 

[USofA]

Then the ICC should control the revenue likr a WC. Then it will be an ICC event (it already is).

What is a world cup anyways? Its just a bunch of bilateral matches whose broadcast rights are sold as a package. It can be done here to. But Indians want to play politics with cricket.

If ICC takes financial control there will be opposition not just from BCCI, but also from ECB and CA. They (ECB, CA) would not want to give control of their Ashes revenues. Doing that would make ECB, CA totally powerless and just waiting for the revenue sharing handouts like many other boards.

 

[cricketjoshila]

If ICC takes financial control there will be opposition not just from BCCI, but also from ECB and CA. They (ECB, CA) would not want to give control of their Ashes revenues. Doing that would make ECB, CA totally powerless and just waiting for the revenue sharing handouts like many other boards.

ICC cannot take financial control even if it wanted to.They dont own the boards or their properties.They have no legal entity in the countries by which they can claim ownership of any series.The ICC exists because of its member boards,its not the other way around.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

ICC cannot take financial control even if it wanted to.They dont own the boards or their properties.They have no legal entity in the countries by which they can claim ownership of any series.The ICC exists because of its member boards,its not the other way around.

True, but the member boards allow the ICC to control World Cup revenue and distribute according to the agreed upon formula. Eg India is now getting 400m rather than 570. That was agreed upon by the ICC collectively as a whole. WC matches are also bilateral ie only 2 (bi) sides (lateral) are contesting each match.

Im not saying the ICC should take control but they could and it would work.

 

[R0H1T]

True, but the member boards allow the ICC to control World Cup revenue and distribute according to the agreed upon formula. Eg India is now getting 400m rather than 570. That was agreed upon by the ICC collectively as a whole. WC matches are also bilateral ie only 2 (bi) sides (lateral) are contesting each match.

Im not saying the ICC should take control but they could and it would work.

They can't BCCI is neither GoI property nor ICC's also the WC is a multilateral tourney under the aegis of ICC, just like FIFA the branding matters but it's not the be all end all of intl cricket. The Ashes IIRC was played before the formation of ICC, the real custodians of cricket are the MCC, ICC is just a body representing national & commercial interests of member boards. If the member boards don't want to be a part of it they can do so easily, it's the collective bargaining power that keeps them together.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

They can't BCCI is neither GoI property nor ICC's also the WC is a multilateral tourney under the aegis of ICC, just like FIFA the branding matters but it's not the be all end all of intl cricket. The Ashes IIRC was played before the formation of ICC, the real custodians of cricket are the MCC, ICC is just a body representing national & commercial interests of member boards. If the member boards don't want to be a part of it they can do so easily, it's the collective bargaining power that keeps them together.

Yes but the member boards are not monolithic and their commercial interests may be at odds with each other. Hence, they would need another central body to replace the ICC. So we'd be right back at square one.

The ICC runs the world cup, they can run the Test and ODI league. I dont understand why Indians don't get these things...aren't you guys supposed to be smart?

 

[Gubol123]

Yes but the member boards are not monolithic and their commercial interests may be at odds with each other. Hence, they would need another central body to replace the ICC. So we'd be right back at square one.

The ICC runs the world cup, they can run the Test and ODI league. I dont understand why Indians don't get these things...aren't you guys supposed to be smart?

Right, if everyone agrees some central body can take over and organize league. What makes you think everyone will agree to give up their cash cows to icc and for what reason? You are talking g as if ICC holds any power. They have nothing apart from what he members have agreed to provide.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Yes but the member boards are not monolithic and their commercial interests may be at odds with each other. Hence, they would need another central body to replace the ICC. So we'd be right back at square one.

The ICC runs the world cup, they can run the Test and ODI league. I dont understand why Indians don't get these things...aren't you guys supposed to be smart?

Because most of money comes from our country and we would like to retain it.

 

[sachin100]

Yes but the member boards are not monolithic and their commercial interests may be at odds with each other. Hence, they would need another central body to replace the ICC. So we'd be right back at square one.

The ICC runs the world cup, they can run the Test and ODI league. I dont understand why Indians don't get these things...aren't you guys supposed to be smart?

Why should india give all it revenues to some one who then shares it to failed boards like pcb.

Its not charity and u have to stand on u r feet and not expect hand outs

 

[USofA]

True, but the member boards allow the ICC to control World Cup revenue and distribute according to the agreed upon formula. Eg India is now getting 400m rather than 570. That was agreed upon by the ICC collectively as a whole. WC matches are also bilateral ie only 2 (bi) sides (lateral) are contesting each match.

Im not saying the ICC should take control but they could and it would work.

I think it's not just the BCCI that will oppose an ICC takeover. CA and ECB would also oppose. I don't think they will be ready to give up control of Ashes revenue. Once they do that, all they will be doing is waiting for handouts from the ICC. Same as most other boards.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

There is proverb in Bengali "chorer upor raag Kore matite boshe khaoa" which literally means "To eat on the floor being upset with the thieves". PCB doing the same here. Ridiculous. All should support this newly proposed test and ODI leagues for the greater benefits of world cricket.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

I think it's not just the BCCI that will oppose an ICC takeover. CA and ECB would also oppose. I don't think they will be ready to give up control of Ashes revenue. Once they do that, all they will be doing is waiting for handouts from the ICC. Same as most other boards.

Well its definitely not going to work if all teams get equal shares of the pie. But instead of having discrete amounts for Ashes series or others, they should just use the current ICC revenue model. Just to throw numbers out, India would take 20%, England 15 %, Australia 12%, the other 6 teams all get 7% each (42% total), and then the remaining 3 of Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan could split the 11% which remains.

That would be for all Test series pooled broadcast rights together, kind of like the NFL or the ICC World Cup. Or it could even be for the Test + ODI leagues.