‘Big Three’ to officially go in June: PCB chief

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Friday that the official dissolution of ICC’s Big Three would take place by June this year.

Talking to reporters at his residence, the PCB chairman said that Pakistan was the one country most affected by Big Three because India refused to play the decided six series in eight years against Pakistan.

The Indian cricket board was left isolated as a majority of the full members of the ICC outvoted BCCI’s position on the new proposed constitution of ICC to abolish the Big Three model.

The only support India got in the ICC meeting in Dubai during voting on a new constitution was from Sri Lanka. No one supported BCCI’s stance on the financial model.

After the voting, the proposed constitution of ICC got 9-1 approval on financial model and 8-2 approval on governance change in existing ICC structure, which means abolition of the Big Three model.

According to the newly approved financial model, BCCI’s share from ICC revenue is now cut to around $293 million from its demand of $570 million.

“After accepting the Big Three formula we were unable to play the six series against India because they refused,” Shaharyar said. He emphasised that the agreement to play the series against India was a legal contract. “You (India) did not honour the legal contract and since there was no development, we will file a legal case. I conveyed this to the person leading the Indian delegation,” he said.

The PCB chairman in reference to a cricket series agreement with India said that with the Big Three abolished, the agreements would no more be valid.

The chairman also confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is indeed planning to boycott the ICC Champions Trophy.

Shaharyar believes majority of the member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are ready to face the likely reaction of India.

“The BCCI has previously threatened to take action if the decision comes against the Big Three but this time they have submitted a written response that they reserve the right to protect their interests. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

“India has warned the ICC about its likely reaction which may come in the form of Champions Trophy boycott but it will not work as most of the member countries are ready to play without India. And in that case [India boycotting Champions Trophy], West Indies or any other team could be included in the fray by the ICC,” Shaharyar said.

The PCB chief said that although the ICC might face some financial losses due to the possible absence of India, it would not be enough to change the world cricket governing body’s decision. “Most of the member countries are ready for it. Therefore, hopefully the [likely] boycott by India will not be enough to press the ICC for accepting BCCI’s demands,” the PCB chairman stressed.

Terming India the richest cricket board, Shaharyar stressed that it was not as important for them to play against Pakistan “as it is for us. Our entire development has stopped. We want to make stadiums in Islamabad and Gwadar but have been unable to do so. We suffered more than anyone else,” he said.

Shaharyar added that Pakistan had wanted a change to the Big Three and was now being supported by Australia and England. “The reason for their support is that in Australia and England there is criticism of the formula,” he said.

Shaharyar added that India and Sri Lanka had opposed the new proposals which were brought forward in the ICC meeting. India opposed the proposals, chiefly because of disagreement over the financial model, he said.

The PCB chairman said that Sri Lanka did not have any issue with the financial model, but governance structure. “Sri Lanka said their reservations were not given due importance,” he said.

The PCB chairman also announced that all World XI matches to be held in September would be played in Lahore.

Shaharyar said that Australia and England had pledged support to Pakistan’s stance on dissolution of Big Three.