LAHORE: International Cricket Council’s ex-president and Pakistan’s former Test batsman Zaheer Abbas has advised India not to boycott the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

The event will be held in England from June 1 to 18 this year.

“If they (BCCI) are thinking to boycott the Champions Trophy, it will harm international cricket,” Zaheer told Dawn here on Wednesday.

Golden opportunity for Pakistan to win in Caribbean for first time

“Number of cricket playing countries is already small and India is one of the major cricket teams. If they do not go to England, it will be a big setback. I hope the BCCI will not take such an extreme decision,” he added.

The BCCI is going to hold its general body meeting on coming Sunday to discuss the issue which has risen in the aftermath of ICC’s decision of ending the Big Three formula which has cut India’s income from US$450 million to US$290 million.

The BCCI, instead of accepting the ICC decision, has threatened to boycott the Champions Trophy.

The new formula will be in place after getting ICC’s final approval in June this year.

Zaheer, whose presidentship ended in June 2016, welcomed the end of Big Three and hoped it would restore norms of equality.

“Most of the ICC members (13:1) have decided to culminate the Big Three which will benefit all the countries equally,” said Zaheer, who was the last ICC president as after him the ICC abolished this post.

Zaheer, however, had all praise for England and Wales Cricket Board for playing a front role in abolishing the Big Three though it suffered financial losses itself being a member of it like India.

Regarding the ongoing Test series between Pakistan and the West Indies, Zaheer said though Pakistan was doing well, its batsmen were not playing big knocks.

“Playing big innings is very much possible against this bowling attack of the West Indies,” he said.

“I wish Pakistan win all the three Test matches as it is the best opportunity for them to win a series in Caribbean for the first time,” Zaheer concluded.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2017