Series with India was part of 'Big Three' deal: Shaharyar

Published September 5, 2015
“We signed the ‘Big Three’ agreement after the BCCI promised it would renew cricketing ties with Pakistan.” — File
“We signed the ‘Big Three’ agreement after the BCCI promised it would renew cricketing ties with Pakistan.” — File

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan admitted on Saturday that the proposed series with India was meant to be a 'reward' for Pakistan's approval of the 'Big Three' and called upon his counterpart in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to honour its commitment.

A two Tests, five one-day and one Twenty20 match series in United Arab Emirates is clouded in uncertainty with relations between Pakistan and India under strain.

“Yes, it’s true that we signed the ‘Big Three’ agreement after the BCCI promised it would renew cricketing ties with Pakistan and the two boards signed MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) in this regard,” Khan told reporters.

“But I will not say I feel betrayed by India because the series is still not lost. I would call upon the BCCI to honour its commitment.”

Khan, wrote a letter to the BCCI secretary on Wednesday, pressing him for an update on a proposed series but the fate of the matches remains uncertain.

Last year, under Najam Sethi, the PCB and BCCI had signed a MoU under which they were scheduled to play six series in the 2015-2023 Future Tours Programme, but all were subject to clearance from New Delhi.

The deal was part of an agreement which effectively gave control of international cricket affairs to India, Australia and England, dubbed the 'Big Three'.

The two countries have not played a full series against each other since 2007, though Pakistan toured India for a short series in December 2012.

Opinion

Editorial

May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...
Narcotic darkness
08 May, 2024

Narcotic darkness

WE have plenty of smoke with fire. Citizens, particularly parents, caught in Pakistan’s grave drug problem are on...
Saudi delegation
08 May, 2024

Saudi delegation

PLANS to bring Saudi investment to Pakistan have clearly been put on the fast track. Over the past month, Prime...
Reserved seats
Updated 08 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The truth is that the entire process — from polls, announcement of results, formation of assemblies and elections to the Senate — has been mishandled.