KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to take a legal route against the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) as the latter is yet to honour the MoU signed for six bilateral series between the arch-rivals from 2015-2023.

The MoU was turned into binding agreement as the PCB decided to support formation of ‘Big Three’ which was dissolved a year later.

In return of support to ‘Big Three’, it was decided that PCB will host four series while India will host two and so far dates of two series have gone by with no sign of cricket between the two countries.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said after the Board of Governors meeting that it has been decided to prepare a legal case and involve the ICC as well in it as they were also a party to the agreement. “The BoG has authorised us to take legal route against BCCI for not honouring the MoU and ask for compensation as they have not played two series so far,” Shaharyar said while addressing media here at a local hotel.

“We will include ICC as well because it was signed in their presence and they are a party in it. We backed Big Three after getting assurances that we will get gains through these bilateral series.”

The PCB chairman also added that the board is looking at options for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy in England where Pakistan and India are pitted against each other while BCCI has publicly said that they will not play with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the PCB chief vowed to stage the PSL final in Lahore despite rumours and speculations that it will not be held in Pakistan.

“There is no doubt for us that PSL final should be held in Lahore despite all the speculations. Those players who are reluctant to come, we will talk to them because the security situation is much better than before. We’re ready to stage PSL final here as all stake holders are ready,” he said, adding that it will open a gate for international teams to travel to Pakistan.

In a significant development, board’s audit report for 2015-16 including that of PSL was approved in the BOG meeting while it earlier got clean chit from external auditors Earnest and Young.

PCB chief also showed displeasure on poor performances by Pakistan’s women and U-19 teams as he revealed drastic changes would be made to ensure better results in future.

“Women and U-19 teams have disappointed and we will take action. We will see where to do drastic surgery in the first week of January after poor performances. Selection committees, players and captains might be changed and because below par performances won’t be acceptable from now on,” he said.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s disappointing loss in second Test down under, Shaharyar opined that all the effort of last Test has gone down the drain with loss in second match.

Meanwhile, PSL chairman Najam Sethi shared that the board has decided to launch a major club competition at national level to revive club cricket. “The board has approved budget of Rs70 million PCB Inter- Club Tournament across Pakistan which will run for a six-month period in which 2849 teams will take part in 97 districts. It will have four stages and in the fourth 16 regional champions will fight for title of National Champion Club,” Sethi shared.

Sethi also spoke on the developing issue with BCCI as he said that our patience has ran out with and that enough is enough.

“The BCCI will have to formally reply us whether they will play or not because we will then file a case against them in England. PCB was expecting to earn roughly $150-200m from our four home series so we’re talking about significant losses,” Sethi added.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2016