Political intervention in India-Pakistan cricket ties a tragedy: Sethi

Kolkata, April 23 - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi on Monday termed India and Pakistan not playing bilateral series due to political tensions as a "tragedy" for the fans, adding that the ball is now in the BCCI's court

BCCI ()

By Cricketnmore Editorial
Apr 23, 2018 • 08:29 PM

"India has not slotted any games for Pakistan. In principle, we have said alright if this is the way you want it fine, but we will only agree to this FTP subject to what decision is taken in the dispute resolution committee. If the decision is in our favour, they will have to change the FTP."

Sethi said a three-member ICC panel will hear the claim in October.

"So whatever we do here regarding the FTP and direct bilateral series between India and Pakistan matches is subject to the ICC decision which should be available by October-November," he said.

At present, the two countries only play in multi-team events like the 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy, World T20 or Asia Cup.

"We have gone to the tribunal saying India has violated a contract and we have put forward a figure of $70 million for the two series that India was supposed to play and has not played with us," Sethi said.

"So the two issues before the tribunal are whether there is a contract that India has to honour and if there is a contract, then what is the claim for damages. So those two questions are going to be discussed. Currently the situation is, we have submitted our preliminary position in writing. The Indians have not yet submitted their position in writing, they are still looking at our position and asking various questions.

"But I think within the next month or so, the Indian point of view will also be available. Our position is, we want to speed up the process of decision making. In principle, the dispute resolution committee has said that once all the paper work and documents are in from both sides, they will take three days in which they will come to a decision."