ICC, PCB open ‘back-channel talks’
New Delhi: Pakistan’s decision to boycott their T20 World Cup group match against India has reportedly prompted “back-channel talks” between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board amid concerns over potential financial fallout.
Pakistan’s boycott decision could reportedly cost world cricket more than 250 million dollars.
As per The Dawn report, a few other cricket boards have also extended support to the ICC in its attempt to reach an understanding with PCB.
It is currently unclear whether Pakistan will be sanctioned for the move, with the ICC urging the PCB to consider the significant and long-term implications if the boycott were to go ahead.
“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule,” the ICC said.
