After a six-months of opposition, negotiations and appeasement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally emerged as the biggest victor after the ‘Big Three’ in terms of the percentage of revenues to be received from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Led by Zaka Ashraf at the time, the PCB had initially shown strong opposition against the revamp plan of the ICC – which essentially gives India, England and Australia the power to dominate world cricket – along with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
A little while later, the PCB was left alone in the resistance as all other countries changed their stance, and it was feared that Pakistan cricket would be isolated.
However, the PCB worked its way through the deadlock and attempted to gain maximum positives, the outcome of which was witnessed in the ICC annual meeting on Thursday.
According to the PCB, the ICC has decided to grant Pakistan the fourth rank in the power game on a day when suspended Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) president N Srinavasan became the ICC chairman.
“It’s a major achievement for the PCB as the ICC agreed on Thursday to grant Pakistan the fourth rank after the ‘Big Three’ in terms of the percentage of revenue to be received in the next eight years from broadcasting and other rights on ICC fixtures,” read an official PCB press release.
BCCI signs agreement with PCB on six tours
The board officially roped in six series against India over the next eight years, out of which four will be hosted by the PCB in the UAE or Pakistan with mutual consent.
All cricket boards agreed on the Future Tours Programme, which will run through 2015 to 2023, and Pakistan successfully converted the Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) signed earlier this year with the BCCI into legal binding agreements.
“[PCB Chairman] Najam Sethi has secured great advantage for Pakistan, as India has officially turned the MOUs signed earlier this year regarding the six rubbers between the two nations – four of these to be hosted by the PCB in the UAE or Pakistan with mutual consent – into binding agreements straightaway,” added the press release.
“The six tours are now part of the Future Tours Programme and are to be played from 2015 to 2023.”
Meanwhile, the third achievement for Pakistan on a successful and historic day was that the ICC confirmed that the country would get the position of the ICC’s president for one year with effect from June 2015.
Sethi ecstatic with achievements
PCB chairman Sethi expressed his satisfaction over gaining important achievements after the initial standoff between Pakistan and the rest of the boards.
“The PCB had planned to get maximum advantage for Pakistan cricket from an extremely precarious position,” said Sethi. “We have accomplished all our objectives.
“I am positive that in the times to come, Pakistan cricket shall benefit greatly from what the PCB has been able to obtain today [Thursday].”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2014.
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Yes Boss! You're absolutely right. As long as we get the money we're happy. Now for a reality check, let me clarify that India is in the big three because Indian cricket generates that much money for the ICC.Pakistan plays on rented grounds, but then the rented grounds generate more money per ticket. The only thing we lose is a Sunday outing to the cricket ground (which is in fact a huge loss for the Pakistan supporters). On a cost benefit analysis we're very satisfied. Thank you for such a detailed analysis, what i would suggest is that you run some numbers and when reality hits you smack in the face, don't forget to comment.
@Vectra: Rant over?
Nijam setthy is happy about some achievement but should not bpast wrong claim like BIG 3 become big 4.Here is what about PCB achievement Right claims 1). Six tours by India between 2015 to2021 (2 be hosted by India in India confirmed and 4 to be hosted by PCB in UAE also confirmed but claims of hosting those 4 in pakistan or uae is false.UAE is possible but BCCI won’t agree for match in Pakistan given security situation 2). 4th largest profit share claim (doubt it because based on 8 year schedule already made by BIG 3 (ICC) earlier Pakistan revenue will depend on how many match it plays, if its scheduled match is more than other like BCB,SLC then it is justified to say Pakistan to get 4th largest share in this 8 years but after 8 years again uncertainty remains and this can’t be called Pakistan as permanent 4th revenue receiver unlike BIG 3 which is legally bound to receive top 3 revenue share permanently whatsoever. 3). Next ICC president will be from Pakistan claim (1st pakistan will get next ICC president post cuz it compromised its post for BCB and now its term so nothing like concession by BIG 3 to Pakistan 2nd after ICC reform ICC president have minimal power because the real power lies with 3 powerful committee i.e Governing body ,Financial committee and Executive committee set up within ICC with each permanently headed by any one of BIG 3 and permanent presence of their representatives in those 3 committees, the rest member within the committee and the president post itself will be on rotational basis so the BIG 4 permanently call the shot and it is immature on part of Mr Sethi to call BIG 3 as BIG 4 as PCB has no legal power in ICC’s 3 powerful committees unlike BIG 3 who are legal holders and will call the shots due to their permanent power backed up by legal power which PCB lack thus PCB is like any other board other than BIG 3 with no say in ICC)
An all those pakistani troll brigade except some sensible pakistani calls India and BCCI as their enemy.They don't understand and realise the fact is that India will on top whatsoever given its diplomatic,economic and military clout.Though it is difficult for pakistan to accept but they have to accept this simple fact.BTW pakistan is getting benefits but still they sabotage their own benefit and blame others for the same which further complicates the matter.Thats what is hurting PCB.PCB should understand from now on atleast for its own very benefit that if India can give any position then they have the power to take back that position given the only BIG 3's permanent membership in ICC Financial committee,Executive committee and Governing body.
See..... always accept India as the boss... you will benefit.
You clowns who were begging, is trying to make it something else. India still rules ICC.