Recent events have exhibited the qualities that confirm the great game of cricket being its own best leveller. The classic example is India and the BCCI. It was beginning to seem that the money, influence and power that the BCCI controls would become even more pervasive.

The advertising revenues available to a fast growing economy had provided the financial strength to the BCCI which made for all countries wanting to play India at home so that revenues from television rights would fill their coffers. This naturally increased the influence of the BCCI.

Good management within the BCCI channeled funds into the grass roots and the Country produced talented cricketers. The national team became progressively stronger and began to be rated amongst the best in the world. Inevitably the growing muscle and influence of the BCCI was reflected in the ICC. From a position where it was difficult for an Asian voice to make any impact on world cricket their came a time when the headquarters of international cricket moved away from Lord's, the home of cricket, to the desert of Dubai.

The dominating influence of BCCI on the ICC brought in advisors from India whilst other positions of importance also got filled by individuals sponsored by the BCCI. This is not a complaint or criticism but pure statement of fact. If truth be known there is a tinge of jealously that Pakistan which had its own position in world cricket achieved by competence and able representation slowly but surely slid downwards because of ignorance and incompetence.

The next leap in this saga came about through a very talented marketing individual of the BCCI who was able to envision a scheme which took a leaf out of soccer's growth and tailored it to cricket. This senior officer of the BCCI acquired the services of a very experienced sports marketing company led by a hugely talented individual to design a resoundingly successful product; the Indian Premier League.

This phenomenon was also assisted by rising interest in the shorter form of the game especially in countries where grounds are not spectator friendly and watching Test Cricket requires dedication, stamina, time and money.

Twenty20 provided instant cricket. It was the classic vehicle to advertise products through a game that is a passion in this region. The league fared brilliantly. In retrospect if the BCCI had not been so shortsighted and let the competitive league exist, competition might have created some measure of control and not let a monopoly become too powerful.

The marketing hype that was essential to draw in big money created an almost surreal atmosphere with 'Bollywood' providing the glamour and glitz that helped grow the league. Large sums of money were invested into the league through bidding for ownership of the teams and then to purchase players for the teams.

Using his marketing skill the promoter of the product intelligently used snob value to increase brand value. Player bidding by teams for world quality players also raised big monies enabling players to earn in six weeks more than they would otherwise earn in many cricket seasons. Some of the greats of the game who had reached the top of their careers saw it as a great opportunity to earn a retirement fund. Thus 'names' from the movie world combined with 'names' from the cricket world created a most explosive mix. The billions of dollars that were bandied about was mind boggling.

Gambling which is a worldwide industry has the sub-continent with its 1.2 billion people as a major subscriber. Sadly this is unregulated and illegal. The huge sums of black money involved in this industry added to the greed of ' book makers' with untraceable money led to or encouraged 'match fixing' and other inventive schemes.

The above shenanigans became progressively visible as the league prospered over three years. Growing fame and success of the promoter and his desire to reach 'further for the moon' raised many hackles and has now brought about investigations into charges of corruption, money laundering and other breaches of the law.

The BCCI which is the owner of the IPL and which had been happily basking in its glory found itself splashed by stains of the allegations that are being made. It is appearing almost desperate to distance itself from League.

The political forces associated with cricket in our region always contain individuals that either want to get even with those in control or bring about their downfall in the hope of taking over. This is what the immediate future holds for the BCCI. It may not be possible to identify any betting illegalities but it would appear that money laundering or tax evasion will come to the fore. I suggest that the BCCI will need to start taking a much more conservative stance in world cricket and not have the 'in your face stance' towards the ICC and other Cricket Boards that it had developed in recent times. I would like to think that some of the very loud, brassy and shady actions occurring in the Twenty20 league had the majority of traditional cricket administrators opining 'It's not cricket'. Hopefully the ongoing criminal investigations will result in a more transparent and equitable way forward. Cricket has become its own leveler.

Regrettably PCB's stature at this time does not warrant it making any noble statements on this matter. The Chairman has arguably tarred Pakistan and its players for reasons better left unsaid. With no meaningful communications with the other Boards he can hardly be pro active on this subject. This is not meant to imply that we could have benefited or could take advantage from some one else's troubles but is it not what the entire world does in ensuring the furtherance of their own institutional interests?

Lastly, for the sake of all that is holy, may I add that if we do use our status as a full member of ICC to promote a League of our own one hopes that we choose our partner with great care and discretion.

The writer is a prominent cricket organiser and critic