NEW DELHI, Oct 12: Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, has responded to Indian official Lalit Modi's claims that the BCCI are being forced into signing the Members' Participation Agreement and its sale of media rights.

"We have noted the inflammatory and provocative comments of Mr Lalit Modi in the Indian media today," he said in a statement. "The comments are a cause of disappointment to us as they serve only to distract from the ICC Champions Trophy, the prestige of which Mr Modi says he wishes to enhance.

"Rest assured, despite such regrettable comments, the ICC remains focussed on delivering a world-class event in India, something that will benefit all of our 97 Members by helping to grow the game worldwide. We will continue to act, as always, in the best interests of the sport."

Speed added that there were channels that Modi could go through to make is feelings clear and outbursts in the media do not help the situation. "The International cricket community has in place processes through which concerns can be raised by any of our Members.

"If Mr Modi has any genuine issues then he can ask one of his senior colleagues at the BCCI, who will be in attendance, to raise these concerns at the ICC's next board meeting, set to take place in Mumbai in early November."

Speed is due at the Champions Trophy over the weekend and says he would be pleased to meet with Modi so that the various issues could be discussed. "I am personally looking forward to travelling to India later this week to watch India play England in Jaipur on Sunday. I am sure this will give Mr Modi an opportunity to raise any pressing concerns he has with me face-to-face but, most importantly, I am looking forward to an exciting game of cricket."—Agencies