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The UAE Cricket Board wrote an email to Pakistan: The long drama of India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match has finally come to an end. As Pakistan had previously said, they would boycott the match against India to show Bangladesh’s unity after the International Cricket Council (ICC) expelled them from the tournament for not traveling to India due to security reasons.
The ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue and made certain demands to ICC Vice-President Imran Khawaja, who has been acting as the moderator between the apex body and the cricket board. Judging from what happens after the meeting, the PCB will reconsider its decision.
UAE Cricket Board sends strong message to Pakistan
Earlier, the Sri Lanka Cricket Association also wrote to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requesting them to reconsider their decision not to play India in the T20 World Cup as it may cause losses to the organizers as the India-Pakistan match is scheduled to be held on February 15 at the R Premedasa Stadium in Colombo.
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Now, the UAE Cricket Board has also written to Pakistan asking them to reconsider their long-standing boycott stance. “The UAE Cricket Board has a long-standing friendly relationship with Pakistan and we have provided venues to Pakistan and organized their cricket matches in the past,” the letter to the PCB reads (quoted by RevSportz).
The UAE Cricket Board added: “Pakistan’s latest decision not to participate in the WCT20 match against India will harm the sport and most of the member countries, especially the associations, will suffer financial losses. As a family member, we request the Cricket Board to reconsider their decision and find an acceptable solution.”
Emirates Cricket Board secretary-general Mubashshir Usmani also acted as mediator after ICC vice-president Imran Khawaja attended yesterday’s meeting. The UAE has been Pakistan’s second home for a decade since they were unable to play in their home country after the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus was attacked in Lahore in 2009. Usmani is also the Associate Membership Director of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Pakistan did not get any support from other Security Council members and found themselves in a difficult position. Now, Pakistan has made some demands to the ICC to play the match against India. They have demanded the resumption of the India-Pakistan bilateral series, which was last played in India in 2013. The PCB also demanded an increase in the funds they receive from the ICC’s annual revenue.
India vs Pakistan is a blockbuster clash
India’s revenue against Pakistan is double that of other matches at the ICC. Over the years, the ICC and tournament organizers have generated significant revenue from match broadcasts, ticket sales, gate sales and sponsorships.
If the India-Pakistan match cannot be held, the ICC will suffer a huge loss. Pakistan will also be subject to sanctions as their funding may be stopped and World Test Championship points may be deducted.
