Shaharyar refutes ‘weak case’ against BCCI comment

Former PCB chairman on Saturday released statement clarifying his position

Former chairman Shaharyar Khan has denied calling Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) case against India to honour the MoU as ‘weak’.

On Saturday, Shahayar issued a statement which read: “I strongly deny a statement attributed to me in the media in which I am supposed to have said that the PCB’s case against the BCCI is weak,” Shaharyar had said in a signed statement. “How could I say such a thing when, in fact, as Chairman and with the approval of the PCB’s Board of Governors, I authorized preparation of a case on the advice of PCB’s lawyers and a prominent QC in the UK who agreed that PCB had a strong case against India.

The statement further said: “During my tenure as chairman PCB, I had tried several times to discuss and negotiate with the BCCI for resuming the bilateral cricket series between the two countries but those attempts remained unsuccessful. This then left PCB with no option but to refer this matter to the disputes committee of ICC.”

The Octogenarian then requested media to refrain from distorting his remarks. “The media must not distort my remarks and hurt the position of the PCB,” Shaharyar said to conclude the statement.

However, Shaharyar’s interview to a private TV channel showed him saying exactly what he said he didn’t.

“It is good that both the countries come on table talk and to increase individual relationships,” Shaharyar was seen saying in the video of the interview. “When I was PCB chairman I enjoyed good relationships with Dalmiya and Shashank Manohar. Good relationships between the officials always play a positive role in bringing each other closer.”

He then revealed how PCB’s case against BCCI was weak. “Yes, for some aspects, the (PCB) case is weak. Because there is written (in the MoU) that the series will be held with the approval of both the governments (India and Pakistan), and they (BCCI) can cite that and say we can’t come as our government is not giving us the NoC.”

He had added that BCCI was angry because of the case and wanted to sit down with PCB to find a solution to the ongoing spat. “Yes, now we have filed a case and they (BCCI) are angry why we have filed it. They say that ‘we want to sit down with the PCB for a solution.’ If you (BCCI) want to sit down then come for discussion,” he had said in the interview.