KARACHI: The legal team of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reviewing a controversial verdict by the International Cricket Council Women’s Championship Technical Committee on Wednesday that saw Pakistan lose out on a golden chance of qualification for the World Cup next year.

Dawn understands that the PCB is exploring all options by seeking legal advice from its lawyers and will announce its action in due course. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani had earlier expressed his disappointment over the verdict.

The TC had deduced that the series between India and Pakistan did not take place owing to a force majeure event. According to the TC, the BCCI did not give the green light to the series because it failed to get the necessary clearance from the government. In the recent past, ICC has acted on government interference in the decision-making of its member boards.

With the two teams sharing three points each, India have joined New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa as confirmed participants whereas Pakistan will now have to play the World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka.

Before the points were shared between the arch-rivals, India stood at 20 whereas Pakistan had 16 in the bag. Had Pakistan been awarded all six points because of forfeiture by India, they would have edged India by two points resulting in qualification for the World Cup with India needing to play the qualifiers.

Zimbabwe were suspended by the ICC last year after failing to comply with its ‘no governmental interference’ policy. While the suspension was lifted three months later, it did spark a debate as to why poor members were dealt a bad hand when rich members like India had been getting away with the same offence.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2020