The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has won the legal battle against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the issue of bilateral cricketing ties. The PCB had requested the ICC to look into the matter after India refused to play two bilateral series with the arch-rivals citing lack of governmental clearance. On behalf of the dispute panel formed under the terms of reference of the ICC Disputes Resolutions Committee (DRC), the ICC announced that the panel has dismissed the PCB’s claim against the BCCI. The judgement is binding and non-appealable.
The BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry said that the stance of the BCCI office bearers stood vindicated after the judgement.
“I am yet to read the decision but this should now put to rest all speculation regarding this matter and it vindicates the stand of the then office-bearers of the BCCI in this regard who were engaging with the other boards on the FTP at that point in time. The BCCI is grateful to all those who deposed for the board and to its legal team, specifically Raghu Raman, Sr. Advocate and Ian Mills, QC,” he said.
The PCB had claimed losses of up to USD 70 million after two series weren’t played in November 2014 and December 2015. While the PCB tried to move the ball through talks, the BCCI made it clear that the government had the final say in this matter. PCB then sent a dispute notice to the Indian board in May and to the International Cricket Council in November.
