International Cricket Council asks Pakistan Cricket Board to pay 60 per cent of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s claimed costs in a legal battle over bilateral cricketing ties
In November, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to investigate a government clearance matter, which had resulted in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refusal to play two bilateral series with Pakistan.
The ICC Dispute Panel, comprising Michael Beloff QC, Jan Paulsson, and Dr Annabelle Bennett, announced that PCB will have to pay 60% of the Indian board’s claimed costs. PCB will also be required to pay the “administrative costs and expenses of the panel which fall within the scope of paragraph 11.4 of the T/R (including, without limitation, the fees of the Tribunal members, and the costs and expenses they incurred in relation to this matter), the figure whereof is to be supplied to the PCB by the ICC.” The ICC judgement is binding and not open to further appeals.
BCCI Treasurer, Anirudh Chaudhry has responded to India’s legal victory by saying, “I am yet to read the decision but this should now put to rest all speculation regarding this matter and it vindicates the stand of the then office-bearers of the BCCI in this regard who were engaging with the other boards on the FTP at that point in time. The BCCI is grateful to all those who deposed for the board and to its legal team, specifically Raghu Raman, Sr. Advocate and Ian Mills, QC.”
Responding to the judgement, a PCB spokesperson said, “The award of significantly lesser costs than claimed by BCCI reflects that PCB’s case had merits.” The PCB had further claimed a loss of over $70 million as India refused to play against Pakistan in the bilateral series of November 2014 and December 2015.
Earlier this year, BCCI announced it will not act on the matter without government consent. PCB sent the Indian board a dispute letter in May 2018, which was later forwarded to the ICC.
