PCB, BCCI at loggerheads over ICC’s new Future Tours Programme

LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are reportedly at loggerheads over the International Cricket Council’s new Future Tours Programme (FTP), with the PCB claiming that the Indian board is reluctant to give definite time frames for the upcoming series.

The ICC chief executives’ meeting, held recently in Dubai to discuss the 2012-2020 FTP, confirmed that India had agreed to play against Pakistan in this period, but had not given specific dates.

“The PCB’s issue is that India has said it will play twice against Pakistan at neutral venues, but has given no dates. Secondly, they are not willing to give enough time to Pakistan to play a full series,” The Nation quoted one source, as saying.

“The timeframe given by India means that Pakistan cannot play a full series against it, and the Indian board has made it clear that any match against Pakistan will be dependent on clearance from their government,” the source added.

According to the source, the PCB was not happy with the situation, because it wanted a longer series in which more matches against India would be played, and also that the BCCI should provide confirmed dates.

“On the other hand, India has said they will play Pakistan in periods they are free of other commitments in the FTP,” the source added.

The PCB’s point of view is that if less number of matches will be played against India, it will cause a loss of valuable finances, said the source, adding, “The cancellation of two series against India means a loss of around USD70 million for the PCB.” (ANI)