ICC could fine PCB if we miss the World T20 in India: Shahryar Khan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan admitted that if the national team was unable to participate in next month’s World Twenty20 in India, the body could be fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

With all the recent unpleasant political tension between India and Pakistan, they were unable to resume bilateral ties. BCCI did not honor the MoU signed between the two boards to play six bilateral series between 2015-2023, starting Pakistan’s home series in December last year. As a matter of fact, PCB had even threatened to pull out of the World T20 if the BCCI didn’t honor the MoU.

But since the PCB is aware of the hefty fine they will have to pay to the ICC, they have now backed off. PCB chief Shahryar Khan was quoted saying, “I just spoke to the Prime Minister’s secretariat today and until the government has not given clearance to send the team to India for the World T20,”

He further added that, “All these stories about the ICC threatening us with legal action or the Prime Minister having cleared the tour are not correct. We have sought advice and clearance from the government to send our team to the World event. The Prime Minister’s secretariat has said they are reviewing the situation and will let us know soon,”

Without specifying the exact amount of the fine that might be imposed the PCB chief said, “If we pull out our team from the World T20 then we will have to pay a penalty to the ICC,”

PTI quoted a reliable source in the PCB saying that the government was likely to clear the tour to India. “It is a routine protocol that the PCB is following but all the vibes from the government quarters is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will give clearance for the team to go to India,” the PTI said.

Written by Srisha Bhalle