"The damages/cost we had to pay to the Indian board was around $1.6 million" : Ehsan Mani

[Abdullah719]

PCB says fans made ‘resilient’ HBL PSL 2019 an overwhelming success

• Chairman Ehsan Mani thanks franchise owners, local administration, sponsors, players, media and the event staff for cementing HBL PSL’s reputation as one of the most credible and competitive leagues in the world

Karachi, 18 March 2019:

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mr Ehsan Mani, on behalf of the PCB, has paid glowing tributes and thanked the die-hard cricket fans, the 39 foreign international players and all the local stars for making the HBL Pakistan Super League 2019 an overwhelming success.

Mr Mani termed the league as a ‘resilient’ event and said it had delivered all event objectives despite tough operational and logistical challenges caused due to reasons beyond the PCB’s control.

Mr Mani also thanked all the franchise owners and their players, as well as the Sindh Government and all the security agencies involved in providing a safe and secure environment for the commercial partners, players, spectators, officials, media and service providers for the eight Pakistan-leg matches played at the National Stadium.

“The fans made this a truly Pakistan event. Cricket euphoria gripped the entire country as the fans got behind the tournament and made this an overwhelming success,” Mr Mani said, adding: “The fans not only enjoyed and celebrated the festival of cricket, but they also portrayed a very positive image of Pakistan.

“This is the real power of a nation and I can’t thank the fans enough for the way they got behind the tournament, supported all the teams and applauded good performances,” Mr Mani said.

“The success of any event is gauged by crowd attendances and I am delighted that the overall crowd turnout at the National Stadium over the seven match days was nearly 95 per cent. This reflects the passion and love for cricket here.

“I am sad that the Lahore fans were unable to attend the matches due to operational and logistical challenges, but they too contributed in a big way and I am thankful to all those who backed and supported the matches in the larger national interest,” said Mr Mani, a former President of the International Cricket Council.

Mr Mani said the HBL PSL had been designed as a vehicle to resume international cricket in Pakistan, which needs to be played across the country.

“We have gradually increased the number of matches in Pakistan from one to three to eight. I am confident we will have matches at more venues next year. In this relation, we will soon start our preparations for HBL PSL 2020 and in due course share plans on how we can increase fan participation by expanding the league. It is inevitable that more than eight matches at multiple venues will be held in Pakistan in 2020,” he said.

Mr Mani said despite facing severe mid-series operational and logistical challenges, the league didn’t drop the ball at any stage and continued to maintain its very high standard and quality.

“The 2019 event has shown how resilient this league is. Having lost the production partner in the first week and then the fallout from last month’s turn of events, to pull everything smoothly, flawlessly and professionally reflects the strength and power of this league.

“Shane Watson’s decision to come to Karachi after having declined pre-event, is a testament of the confidence he had in the PCB and all the security agencies. It was also a validation that he too considered Karachi as a peaceful and cricket-loving city, while reinforcing his respect and commitment for the league.”

Mr Mani appreciated the cooperation of the Sindh Government and all the local law-enforcing agencies.

“I want to pass on my gratitude to the local administration and all the security agencies for their hard work and cooperation. By hosting six high profile teams and staging eight matches in seven days, we have shown the world our capabilities and resources to stage international matches.”

Mr Mani said the quality of cricket was from the top draw.

“The league lived up to the expectations of the fans and followers when it provided 15 last-over finishes. There were 21 matches in which scores of 170 or more were scored, while 404 runs were scored in the match between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars. This high-quality cricket was played due to good batting surfaces.”

Mr Mani thanked all the players for upholding the Spirit of Cricket.

“It was so heartening to see the players competing hard but at the same time playing within the Spirit of Cricket, by respecting the opponents and the umpires. This event was a great advertisement and promotion for cricket and I am sure the younger generation will learn the way this great game needs to be played.

“All those players and officials who participated in this event are role models and inspiration for the future generation of cricketers. I can say with conviction that they have played a huge part in the PCB’s endeavours’ for the complete restoration of international cricket in Pakistan.

“I want to extend my thanks to the franchisees and all the commercial partners, without whose contribution we would not have been able to put together an event which is now one of the most talked about events in the world. I am confident after this event, our relationship with the franchisees and the commercial partners will strengthen and we will do better in future.

“I also want to thank the respected members of the media for promoting and publicising the event through column-inches and airtime. Media are a very important stakeholder and through this event, our bonding with them has strengthened as we aim to work together in the best interests of cricket and the country.

“And, last, but not the least, I want to thank all the volunteers who took time out from their studies and jobs to work tirelessly in making the experience of the fans memorable.”

 

[Abdullah719]

We've paid $1.6 million compensation to BCCI: Pakistan Cricket Board

The Pakistan Cricket Board has paid the BCCI approximately $1.6 million as compensation after losing the case it filed against the Indian Board for allegedly not honouring a bilateral agreement, PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani claimed on Monday.

The PCB had filed a compensation case against the BCCI last year before the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee, demanding around $70 million. The ICC dismissed it and asked the PCB to compensate the legal cost to the BCCI.

"We incurred cost of around $2.2 million on the compensation case which we lost," Mani said.

"The ICC committee did accept that Pakistan had a case and that is why the damages/cost we had to pay to the Indian board was around $1.6 million," Mani said.

Mani insisted that besides the amount paid to India to cover the legal cost, the other expenses were related to legal fees and travelling.

According to the PCB, the agreement with India, which it claimed was a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensured Pakistan six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

Pakistan said the BCCI reneged on the commitment, causing it losses running into millions of dollars.

The Indian Cricket Board, however, maintained that the discussion with PCB was a proposal and never a legally binding MoU.

Ultimately, the BCCI's assertion was accepted by the ICC's dispute resolution committee. -

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/weve-paid-16-million-compensation-to-bcci-pakistan-cricket-board

 

[Bhaijaan]

On behalf of Indian cricket fans, i thank PCB for paying our dues in timely manner.

Hopefully in future we will have cordial relationship and not have to go to court for settling disputes. We want a good healthy cricketing rivalry.

-Bhaijaan

 

[MenInG]

Karachi: “Cricket must not be stopped due to terrorism,” PCB chief Ehsan Mani said, defending the decision to organise a music-filled Pakistan Super League (PSL) closing ceremony despite terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing public ire for not being sensitive enough considering that at least 50 people were killed during the Friday prayers in the terrorist attack.

Mani said the ceremony was actually ‘toned down’. “We acknowledged the incident, observed a minute’s silence, released pigeons and cut out dancing. All the songs too were iconic Pakistani songs,” said Mani.

He claimed that Pakistan is the worst victim of terrorism and cricket should not be stopped because of terrorism or terrorists.

Mani said that the incident in New Zealand proves that terrorism is a global menace.

“We had a dilemma due to the unfortunate New Zealand incident. People forget that we are also the victims of terrorism. Now, the world knows what challenges are there. Pakistan’s problems are not different to anyone else’s.

“It doesn’t mean we should gloat. We will work with them and share our experiences, but cricket should not stop. If cricket stops due to terrorism, then it’s a victory for the terrorists. Players’ safety is of course important and cannot be risked but the game must go on too.”

Mani said the fourth edition of the PSL had been a big success with some 35 foreign players coming to Pakistan to play for their franchises.

“The comfort level of the foreign players while coming to Pakistan is different now from two years back. They now want to move and explore the city and meet the people. (ALSO READ: Bangladesh team manager on Christchurch attack: We saw people running for their lives and blood everywhere)

“The most impressive bit was how the Karachi crowd supported us. Some 200,000 came to watch these matches, and from what I believe, 150 million saw the matches on TV.

“This was a remarkable endorsement of PSL. Due to the geo-political situation, it was important that we demonstrated that Pakistan is capable of holding such an event.”

Mani said they had invited security experts from other countries, so they can themselves see how we organise PSL.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ony-despite-christchurch-mosque-attack-816467

 

[abhay]

Garibi Mein Atta Gila

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Quite interesting that PCB legal team could not tell the difference between a proposal and an MOU. if only they had given me half of that money, I'd have told them

Also quite interesting that the governing body, ICC, has no jurisdiction over who plays whom, despite the fact all matches impact rankings that are run by the ICC. A farce of an organization really.

 

[Junaids]

Quite interesting that PCB legal team could not tell the difference between a proposal and an MOU. if only they had given me half of that money, I'd have told them

Also quite interesting that the governing body, ICC, has no jurisdiction over who plays whom, despite the fact all matches impact rankings that are run by the ICC. A farce of an organization really.

My understanding is that they could, but Sethi insisted that the case would be successful and overruled the objections of all legal experts.

 

[Major]

"The ICC committee did accept that Pakistan had a case and that is why the damages/cost we had to pay to the Indian board was around $1.6 million," Mani said.

important part

 

[Major]

My understanding is that they could, but Sethi insisted that the case would be successful and overruled the objections of all legal experts.

Companies and organizations have a team of lawyers with whom they discuss such matters, and obviously before going to court they did discussed this with them..

Even Mani has said that there was a case which is why ICC didn't ask for the payment of the original amount

 

[Savak]

It is the PCB lawyers who should be sued if they encouraged the PCB to sue when there was no case to begin with.

In any case the PCB has recouped the cost it had to pay out so biggie.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

My understanding is that they could, but Sethi insisted that the case would be successful and overruled the objections of all legal experts.

That, if true, is scandalous.

$1.6MM for a poor board is a lot of money - PSL success or not.

 

[ammarsf]

Will we get to know approximate viewership numbers of this years PSL, especially the play-offs and finals? Would be nice if someone has this information here.