Sports

India must reward Pakistan for supporting ‘Big Three’: PCB

PCB chairman wants BCCI to honour its commitment of India-Pakistan series

Sports Desk September 06, 2015

A file photo of Shahryar Khan addressing a press conference in Lahore. PHOTO COURTESY: PCB

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan said on Sunday India should stay true to its word of ‘rewarding’ Pakistan for its support for the ‘Big Three’ governance system introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year.

Under the ‘Big Three’ system of governance the control of world cricket was effectively handed over to India, England and Australia.

Read: Where are the people who supported Big Three for India series, asks Aamir Sohail

Shahryar said that Pakistan had its own reasons for supporting the ‘Big Three’ format but one of them was that it would eventually result in restoration of bilateral ties with India.

“It is true that we agreed to the ‘Big Three’ system after the Indian cricket board promised us it would renew cricketing ties with us and they eventually also signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with us to play six series between 2015 and 2023,” said Shahryar, according to the Press Trust of India.

“We want the BCCI to honour its commitment made to us through the MOU and I am still optimistic the series could happen eventually,” he said.

Read: I remain optimistic about India-Pakistan series: Waqar Younis

Under the MOU, the first series between the two countries is to be hosted by Pakistan in UAE in December this year. The plan is for the two countries to play two tests, five ODIs and a T20.

So far, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained an uncertain stance regarding the fate of the series as they refuse to confirm it, insisting they require government clearance to do so.

India has avoided playing Pakistan in a full bilateral series for the past eight years with 2007 being the last time the two sides played a Test match.

The PCB has already sent a letter to BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur this week asking him to confirm the series as soon as possible as time.

Further, Shahryar said, “Politics is vulnerable to highs and lows and the sport of cricket should be kept away from it.”

“Cricket is a tool to formulate peace between the countries,” he added.

The article originally appeared on The Hindu.

COMMENTS (45)

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply @Gabbar I have seen Pakistanis pass themselves as Indians in the west. Figure out who the biggest liars are

Gabbar | 8 years ago | Reply @ Indian Living in Gulf and interacting with Indians, some how i don't find it difficult to believe that they lied to get achieve their objective. Seems like a national psyche over there.

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Philanthropist | 8 years ago | Reply As a reward, Pakistan can send two umpires to officiate in the IPL. That's all. Happy? Don't start getting greedy again.

Azam Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Who on earth is India to bestow rewards on Pakistan. Mr. Shahryar Khan please stop, and don't drag the entire nation with you.

Hari Om | 8 years ago | Reply @Tyggar: “As far as I remember Pakistan opposed the Big three. Pakistan determined to oppose Big Three takeover http://tribune.com.pk/story/661300/pakistan-determined-to-oppose-big-three-takeover/” A much needed reminder to Pakistani posters and the PCB, complete with a link to an article from this very newspaper, that Pakistan via the PCB opposed the Big Three takeover of world cricket. The present claim that the PCB supported the Big Three takeover and thus ought to be rewarded, is laughable. Fact of the matter is PCB futilely opposed Big Three takeover tooth and nail and as a result became completely isolated in world cricket and was compelled in the end to eat humble pie and fall in line. Bottom line is comprehensive defeat cannot be rewarded.

Gaurav | 8 years ago | Reply @ prakash we have bigger audiences so. So our stake is higher any way . But The point is why we Allow them to get money from where they send people to kill us . And they are not ready to even discuss that . They should discuss with hurriyat first about cricket series not BCCI. The KASHMIR ISSUE is the core issue . w/o this there should not be Trade P/P contact etc . Then why we give them money for cricket. They dishonored UFA agreement . then Hamne to sirf ek conditional MoU hi sign kiya hai. No matter how much they beg . we should not play with him this december.

Aschraful Makhlooq | 8 years ago | Reply "Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan said on Sunday India should stay true to its word of ‘rewarding’ Pakistan for its support for the ‘Big Three’ governance system introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year." How much rubbish and foolish are you Shehryar Khan and till now couldn't understand the India's inner intentions.Basically India wanted to get PCB's support for obtaining Big-3 status and succeeded now India has no any interest in playing cricket with Pakistan.BCCI fooled and deceived PCB easily and succeeded in its negative designs.PCB had to think about nominating BCCI that time when PCB voted for BCCI as a Big-3 member and now why crying over spilt milk???

Anuj | 8 years ago | Reply @Prakash: Perhaps you should know a few things before you comment. The host gets to decide telecast rights not the visitor, so BCCI losing money is just an absurd argument. It will get a certain figure from PCB which BCCI can get from any board. As for majority of Indians, you don't have to go anywhere but just look at this post. Majority is not interested as they are tired of hate speeches and K-issue coming every now and then from PAK. As for quality cricket, we have SA coming for full fledged series and then we go and play in AUS. You don't get more quality thAn these 2 teams. So you blowing the needless 'peace trumpet' should go and talk to BCCI and see if they listen to you.

Prakash | 8 years ago | Reply @How so?: BCCI stands to lose more because, if the series went through, they would earn more revenue than PCB by virtue of controlling larger amount of the telecast rights. Also I am quite certain that most Indians would rather watch some quality cricket, and simultaneously improve relations with Pakistan, than indulge in pointless sloganeering.

xor | 8 years ago | Reply Its Mr Shahryar call, we are not interested. Just FO

Arjun | 8 years ago | Reply Guys...remember..Kashmir is the core issue. No cricket with India until Kashmir is resolved to your satisfaction.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan supported the big three when its other attempts failed. Now it has to pay the price.no iron brother to save it here.

Kamal | 8 years ago | Reply What a disgraceful and incompetent BCCP chief. Instead of admitting that India has already rewarded our support with disdainful disrespect and the usual but not unexpected treachery he continues to beg. Its people like these which make us Pakistanis lose our self respect.

Late HG | 8 years ago | Reply OMG, no "K" word in begging statement.

Vivek | 8 years ago | Reply Begging syndrome seldom stop

Saif | 8 years ago | Reply @Point: Lol, thats y we r known as a terrorist country

Anuj | 8 years ago | Reply @savvy: don't be boring, I've heard that rhetoric countless times. Stop wasting yourself.

Anuj | 8 years ago | Reply @Prakash: You alone do not represent India so just rest your fingers/thumb and keep quiet.

ahmed wani | 8 years ago | Reply No,we beg to u pakistan people to stop terrorist's and their funding in afghanistan,India and please let the world live in peace............

Babloo | 8 years ago | Reply Are Pakistani players going to meet self-appointed hurriyat leaders before start of match ?

Atif | 8 years ago | Reply These shameless leaders in politics and governing bodies are a source of embarrassment for us. Begging India to feed their big tummies.

Tyggar | 8 years ago | Reply @Point: But you voted a Child rapist like Nawaz Sharif

Tyggar | 8 years ago | Reply As far as I remember Pakistan opposed the Big three Pakistan determined to oppose Big Three takeover http://tribune.com.pk/story/661300/pakistan-determined-to-oppose-big-three-takeover/

AJ | 8 years ago | Reply The headline makes me wonder why so many Pakistanis think that every other country is obligated to help Pakistan in almost all spheres of life. Maybe its a wrong choice of words to make the headline more catchy. In any case, BCCI left to itself would not mind having the series even in FATA as long as they make money. The best bet is to have the series at neutral venues......but then that's not financially as attractive.

hnr | 8 years ago | Reply @kagak: Maybe hurriet leaders should be called for tea to discuss this issue and if they agree that kashmir can be ignored then cricket can be played?

G.K. | 8 years ago | Reply There should not a bilateral series happen b/w India and pakistan unless Kashmir issue is resolved. We will make a consult to Hurriyat leaders before this series. Lol.

Lahore Badshahi | 8 years ago | Reply So much intelligent decisions, thanks for supporting a demonic mortal enemy !!!

Bewildered | 8 years ago | Reply This man has no dignity left. He embarrasses us every time he opens his mouth. No Pakistani with any self-respect left would like to play with India while Indian army is killing our innocent citizens every day.

savvy | 8 years ago | Reply Lets keep playing cricket and keep politics out !! This guy has a sane head and doesn't care what everyone around has to say and he wants series to go ahead. Good approach !

jg | 8 years ago | Reply Why is he even sweating for india series is behind my comprehension

How so? | 8 years ago | Reply @Prakash - please explain how BCCI stands to lose more than Pakistan. Also, please speak for yourself. After the recent Gurdaspur and other terror attacks, mood in India is not what you describe.

Prakash | 8 years ago | Reply I hope Mr. Shahryar Khan is aware that by not having this series, BCCI stands to lose more money than PCB. BCCI will make every effort to push the series through. Even most Indians want the series to happen. I am sure a small gesture of reconciliation from Pakistan is all it will take to make the series possible.

Np | 8 years ago | Reply Lies will not take you far. Pak actually tried to create a group to opals the Big 3 plan. But other countries backed out. Eventually Pakistan's what did not matter because with or without it the plan would have passed with a large majority.

Ravi | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan can ask other two members of Big three to reciprocate for support extended. Hope English and aussies visit Pakistan.

kagak | 8 years ago | Reply Better support kashmir cause and meet hurriyat leaders before thinking of playing a series...

omar | 8 years ago | Reply So you voted for big the three trusting the 'goodness' of India's heart! How much money did they give you?

Vicky | 8 years ago | Reply you please stick to Kashmir issue and stop begging for cricket series

Sameer | 8 years ago | Reply Lol...first you failed to honour recent Ufa agreement, and now you expect us to honour some MoU? by the way it's your govt's stance that no trade, no talk without Kashmir, so add cricket in this list also...

Paki | 8 years ago | Reply That whats happens man, when you make deal with the DEVIL. Everyone know from that start that the snake will eventually bite us.

Pranav | 8 years ago | Reply U did'nt supported us till the end. After 8 out of 10 teams agreed, Then u saw no way of Escaping and Came to us With SL.. So u expect anything from us. We will help those who supported us, i.e NZ, SA, Zim, BD, WI etc, not you!

Point | 8 years ago | Reply The day Pakistanis vote an extremist like modi. Then we won't have to worry. Unfortunately we don't vote terrorists or exxtremists like in BJP

Point | 8 years ago | Reply Dear corrupt organizations of Pakistan. We citizens always told you not to support snakes. You guys never listen to US PEOPLE

Anjaan | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan did nothing in return to India's no object to the EU granting preferential trade quotas to Pakistan ... !! ... so this time, India is not obligated to Pakistan ...

Ishan | 8 years ago | Reply Abe kya kya karega kuchh million dollars ke liye?

SRK | 8 years ago | Reply Common Indian : There shall not be any cricket unless perpetrators of Mumbai attack are brought to justice, unless all terror factories are shut down & unless no infiltration at LOC under disguise of ceasefire. Period!!! Common Pakistani : There shall not be any cricket unless Kashmir issue is solved... Err.. Not in this case. Politics & cricket should not be mixed..all other issues like trade, people-to-people contacts, terrorism can wait until Kashmir issue is solved. Peerrioood...

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