The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, made it clear that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would have to consider their new Future Tours Programme (FTP) plans for the period of 2019 to 2023 if they want Pakistan to sign the new schedules of ICC.
The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) decided in its Special General Meeting (SGM), on Monday, that India will not play any bilateral matches with Pakistan outside the ICC events in their FTP plan for the given period, while PCB challenged the ICC by confirming that the Board will not sign on the new ICC scheduled if it doesn't include bilateral series with India.
According to a report in Espncricinfo, the PCB said in a release, “Since the onset of these discussions, PCB has reiterated its position on bilateral series vs India. Our position is that PCB’s agreement to the revised structures for international cricket is subject to the condition that PCB has a valid agreement to play bilateral matches with India and India vs Pakistan matches would be included in the FTP. This continues to be our position.”
The release added, “PCB has also informed the ICC that it has initiated a dispute resolution process against the BCCI under the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee Terms of Reference. Further to that the PCB’s claim is based on an existing agreement with the BCCI which contemplates that India will tour Pakistan in December 2019, August 2020 and Nov – Dec 2022 and Pakistan will tour India in Nov – Dec 2021.”
The PCB also said that the Board’s decision over new ICC’s FTP plans entirely depends on the outcomes of the dispute hearing, as it has taken up the matter with ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee.
The release concluded by explaining, “Under the prevailing circumstances, it is PCB’s position that if the Dispute Resolution Committee decides the dispute in PCB’s favour then any FTP will need to be adjusted to reflect the decision. Any agreement of the PCB to any new FTP structure will, therefore, be without prejudice to its existing claims against BCCI and will be subject to the outcome of the ICC dispute resolution process.”
