Express News screengrab of former PCB chairperson Zaka Ashraf addressing the gathering in Lahore.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) board had passed a wide-ranging and controversial shake-up of its governance and structure on February 8, effectively placing India, England and Australia in charge of the game.
The dominant trio, or the ‘Big Three’, seemed to be the big winners after the proposals were approved by the necessary eight out of 10 full members at a hastily convened ICC board meeting in Singapore.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa had all opposed the revamp when it was debated last month, but South Africa’s Chris Nenzani had voted in favour at the meeting. Sri Lanka and Pakistan abstained.
In the revamped ICC, India – which contributes 80% of global revenues – and fellow powerhouses England and Australia will have permanent seats on a new, five-member executive committee.
While addressing the function today, Ashraf said Pakistan tried to have a working relationship with India but it will not agree on anything against its national interest and its cricket.
Ashraf stated that the PCB's governing board was taken into confidence regarding Pakistan's official stance on Big Three.
The former PCB chairperson also stated that there should be no politics in cricket and whatever work he had done as the chairman was done in the best interest of the country, adding that he had no personal agenda whatsoever.
Talking about the constitution of PCB, he commented that it was the responsibility of the government to make the laws not the PCB's.
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@kamran khan- its just a game debate, lets not pull off death certificates here. I can ask too that how many people (not just hindu or muslim) were killed in just last month in Pakistan.
There are problems is every Country having a population of over one billion doesn't make it any easier to maintain peace in fact its 10 times harder than in Pakistan but though if you will count these kind of killings are far lesser compared to Pakistan. I know it's still not the most peaceful Country in world but not the worst either.
BCCI is a private entity and does not have any relation to the Indian state.
@Jai: Pakistan beat South Africa in outh Africa and had started 2013 by beating india inindia, it's the indian "cricket" team that is spanked hard and loud whenever it dares play outside except in bangladesh
@sharabi: oh that was an accident like burning of children, women and men on valid visa in india in samjhota express was an accident???
Time for Pakistan to go play gullible danda. Forget cricket.
@Kamran Khan: its fun to bash beggers in begger country's website, your existance is most disgraceful than any others.
@Uzair That was an accident, even a mentally ill person can not bring such accident in absolutely off topic discussion. Take a rest
@Manish: it is also RIP cricket when a blind cricketer from Pakistan is made to drink acid in India and indians remain shameless about it. Et kindly give this comment a place indians would not be too angry with you don't worry
The "biggest" of the "big3" is not only the noisiest and nastiest but also the funniest as it always get a sound spanking whenever it tries to sneak out of its overpopulated congested lands and play "cricket" and then they have the shamelessness to be boastful about their "status" in cricket world
@Obaid:
"The basis of this proposal that since the big 3 fetch more revenue they should have controlling rights, is absolutely absurd. Put simply if a rich person pays comparatively more tax per rupee of income, does it mean he/she have a right to formulate policies or has more rights than the lower tax paying citizens ?"
You are totally missing the point here. Cricket is a business and not a democracy or a country. If you follow your own logic then all the private corporations should should pay all the employees equal salary and the shareholders should also get the same amount!
Paki beggers cannot be choosers!!!!!
Cricket is all big Gambling......!!!!
It is not RIP cricket when India gets voted into a position of power simply because financially it drives global cricket. It is RIP cricket when cricketers who are the ambassadors of peace get shot upon by terrorists in Pakistan and then entire region cannot hold a match without much security. Both India and Pakistan have equal passion for the game and yet one is in position of power and other looking for neutral venues. Before fingers are pointed towards India in global scenario, Pakistan has much to take care of in its domestic setup.
After Ijaz Butt was dethroned, I had high hopes of PCB selecting a true statesman and a leader to take over the position and take their country's Cricket to next level. Instead, the whole episode or the circus as termed by Pakistani media, has been very disappointing. . One after the other, PCB chiefs are "Ek se bad kar ek". Mr. Sethi enjoys a clean reputation outside Pakistan but has been accused of working as the ruling party stooge in last elections. The saga continues.....
@ria
Your argument clearly reflects lack of understanding of fiscal policy and how the government spending (financed via taxes) is prioritised. Are you suggesting that more share of taxes are spent by the govt on the rich? This would imply that higher tax paying households/businesses should received more benefits from the govt relative to lower tax payers.
@Ch. Allah Daad
My argument doesn't only work on paper. It is a real life analogy. You cannot have a civilized and logical debate if you proceed with "might is right" mentality. And if you think might is actually right, then Olympics should be held in U.S everytime, same can be said for football or other sports events that hosted globally. Goodluck convincing someone with that mindset.
@A Question: In pakistan dena doesnt exist. its all lena but no dena
@A.M.Khan: Yes, as soon as neighbor stops its negative role in India.
@Obaid: why do u forget that they pay more tax because they earn more.... they profit from business and govt supports them....logic at its best.....
i did one misscall. consider it too as threat
One could always rely on England and Australia to look after themselves whilst pretending to be the good guys. I am surprised that India has decided to join up with them. I always thought that the cricketing countries were on equal terms. I have been very disappointment over a number of international incidents in recent times, but never thought that cricket administrators would sink so low. Perhaps Ch. Allah Daad is correct without knowing it. Money and power corrupts everybody eventually, and unfortunately cricket has become big business..
Why didn't he reveal this when he was the chairman. The then monetary benefits offered by india is now termed as 'threats' to mislead the people of pakistan, typical politician with vested interests and leading people of the country to hatred and darkness instead of mutual respect and prosperity.
Can India play any positive role not to disturb its neighbors?
So, i wonder why ET editors would permit to publish a musleading headline to this article. Why lie in the headline, when you have legitmate content within the article to publish?
What nonsense. Pakistani cricket is already dying and it's governing body takes more "principled' stands which further isolate it. I'm glad Zaka is gone. Hopefully for good.
@Obaid: Your argument is right but on paper only. In reality world doesn't work this way. Its always "might is right" formula which is applied. Its upto weaker nations and people to negotiate best deal for themselves. In our home situation too, powerful captains and senior players become big three and they are the ones who select teams and give names to selectors, not the other way around.
Najam Sethi should speak on cricket in his own(as anchor) program on TV channel. He should not avoid to speak in program "aapas ki batting"!!!.................................... The program anchoring simply co-incidental and does not infringe any privilege of any sort................................................ Even if he speaks on any other channel still he won't be able to do justice to remaining other tv channels anyways.......................... So his program should be taken as exclusive program on the subject as a coincidence only.
Actually England and Australia also threatened but.... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++! Zaka Ashraf has love for India!
Ohh Mr Ashraf, you took so many days to point fingers eastwards...poor you\
@Right to Authority
The basis of this proposal that since the big 3 fetch more revenue they should have controlling rights, is absolutely absurd. Put simply if a rich person pays comparatively more tax per rupee of income, does it mean he/she have a right to formulate policies or has more rights than the lower tax paying citizens ?
India as the major contributor to World Cricket contributing 80% has every right to order countries like Pakistan to follow its orders.
Nothing succeeds like success Zaka, you should have known that by now. That is the general behaviour of anyone who achieve something in life. Grow up and stop moaning or start producing results.
Zaka took a stand for his country, but sadly all our politician, prime minster are corrupt, tell me in which country the PM impose or depose cricket chairman , and to choose a anchor.
Best thing NS did when he kicked out this person.
What exactly was the "threat"? The fact of the matter was, Mr.Zaka didn't know the art of negotiation. Besides, Pakistan's vote hardly mattered. If push had come to shove the Big 3 would have more likely courted Sri Lanka than Pakistan. South Africa did the right thing by bargaining themselves into a great deal.
zaka has made this statement just to gather support from pakistani public and to justify his actions.I don't think bcci is so stupid or desperate so as to make threats against another board and that too PCB.
Pakistan's only problem was how India became part of elite club.had it been big 2 sans India Pakistan won't have any problem.Dear Pakistani apply common sense (commodity which you people lack very much) improve economy ,generate cricket revenue then big 3 will become big 4 with Pakistan.
Zaka's national interest means free lunch on India's cost. Pakistan contributes 3% of ICC revenues and get 5% in return from ICC. India contributes 80% and gets 5% too in return. Is this fair? If pakistan or any country was in India's position will it accept?
As per the revised norms India will get 20% revenues against 80% contribution. So why this hue and cry? Other countries understand this and accept it as very fair. Pakistan has a problem only because it is India.
BCCI is out to destroy the soul of cricket! Let us not be a part of that. Thanks.
Money always wins, Cricket is sold! RIP cricket (courtesy India).
Come on Zaka, sour grapes. There is no shame in accepting that you lost the plot. Why India would do anything like that when they know there is no value of Pakistan's vote. Get a life, Zaka.
I doubt there is any truth behind his statements....Does he realize where ICC is going to put Pakistan...When Sethi was removed from the post he passed remarks on Giles Clarke & now that Zaka Ashraf is removed;he is giving statements over India...
Before trying to be par with the 3 Power Houses of Cricket, can this Zaka Ashraf clarify how much PCB is contributing financially to the World of Cricket. Sirf lena nahin, dena bhi hota he Zaka Ashraf.
Honestly, let Pakistan ditch cricket, Pakistan is known as the Brazil of cricket and brings that unknown factor to the sport. It's time we move away from this and work towards establishing positions in sports such as rugby and football. Then watch cricket, led by this so-called trip, crumble. I mean what else makes headlines in international news in cricket news besides India and Pakistan match that garners some of the greatest rating?
What kind of threat is he talking about precisely? Did BCCI threatened of sending terrorists to Pakistan in the name of mujahideen? I guess this is how the word 'threat' is understood by Pakistanis.
I first thought he received death threats. What was he expecting in the current hostile political environment? One should be brave and strong to sail against the tide and be prepared for the consequences. Why cry now?
Sooooo... where r the threats ???
Misleading headline. I don't see any reference of threats in the writeup?