Every ICC member wants to play India and make more money: Najam Sethi

The controversy surrounding a possible bilateral series between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan is boiling with every approaching day. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified their stake and their will to play India in the future in his recent statements. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unmoved and absolutely clear on not playing the neighbouring country until the political relations between the two nations do not change drastically.

The PCB chairman Najam Sethi has admitted the fact that all teams around the world want to play the sport with Team India as it also helps them to earn better returns. Recently, the BCCI was understood to be reluctant about hosting the Asia Cup scheduled to be contested in 2018, as they aren’t certain about inviting Pakistan to the country for the tournament.

The Indian cricket board also kept Pakistan out of the newly introduced World Test Championship which starts in 2019. The political relations between the two cricketing nations is the biggest reasons for the disagreement.

Every country wants to make more money

Sethi mentioned the fact that all the major broadcasters that play a key role in this game happen to be from India which also makes it a medium to earn a considerable amount of money. The chairman stated that presently every ICC member wants to play with the Indian team considering the monetary factors and also due to their competitive spirits at this level of the game.

“I don’t think we need to use such words like hostage. The fact is that broadcasters are from India, India has most money. Every ICC member wants to play India as this allows them to make money and India is a top team as well,” said Sethi while interacting with the media.

The PCB head said he understands the BCCI’s point of view over the revenue talks relating to ICC and also feels they should get the relative abundant amount considering their contribution. But he also stated that for them all ICC teams are equal at every level of the sport.

“India’s point of view or that what they think is that since they contribute most revenues to the ICC they should get more but for us all ICC members are equal,” the chairman added.