LAHORE: Deadlock over bilateral series persisted when top officials of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met in Dubai on Monday.

The two boards defended their respective stance on the legal notice sent to the BCCI by the PCB, claiming financial losses of over US$60 million, for not honouring memorandums of understanding signed between them.

It was the first meeting between the two cricket boards after serving of legal notice. The BCCI had already rejected the legal notice.

PCB was represented by its chief Shaharyar Khan, executive committee chairman Najam Sethi and chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed.

According to the MoUs, the PCB had voted in favour of the Big Three in 2014 of which India was a member and in return, the BCCI had agreed for six full series in eight years, four to be hosted by the PCB and two by India.

But the BCCI had not honoured it, citing its government was not allowing it to restore bilateral series with Pakistan.

A brief press release issued by the PCB in that regard stated: “Delegations of PCB and BCCI met in Dubai today (Monday) and shared their stated positions. The meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and its outcome will be shared with members of their respective boards.”

However, Dawn learnt through reliable sources that the Indian delegation had no powers to resume bilateral series with Pakistan without their government’s consent and Pakistan had to pursue their case ultimately with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi, the second round of the meeting if the first fails to produce any result, will be held in the presence of ICC chief executive officer Dave Richardson.

But the press release did not mention any date for the meeting in the presence of Richardson.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017