ICC rejects PCB compensation claim against BCCI

  Mumbai:On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Dispute Panel dismissed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) claim against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking compensation for no bilateral cricket between the two countries and had blamed its Indian counterpart for the same.

A case of dispute came up when PCB filed an official complaint with the ICC last year about "massive losses incurred".

In the process, the PCB had sought damages from BCCI to the tune of US$70m and the case came to an end this year after a three-day hearing amid October 1-3. Hon Michael Beloff QC, an English barrister and member of the Blackstone Chambers, chaired the ICC's disputes panel.

The Indian board wanted the services of Ian Mills a renowned UK-based sports lawyer to argue its case alongside bringing on board Dubai-based law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Cyril Amarchand, the Indian law firm that works with the BCCI back home, provided the backend assistance.

"Following a three-day hearing and having considered detailed oral and written submissions, the Dispute Panel has dismissed the PCB’s claim against the BCCI. The judgement, which can be found here in full, is binding and non-appealable," the ICC told in a statement.

In this regard, the game's global governing body didn't comment. Sources say the matter is now closed. To PCB's credit, Shaharyar Khan, the board's former chairman had articulated an opinion that Pakistan stood no chance against India in this matter, which has now turned out to be right.

The BCCI's ace in the dispute hearing turned out to be in the form of former cabinet minister Salman Khurshid's deposition. Khurshid was part of the UPA government when the two neighbouring countries had stopped playing cricket between each other owing to cross-border friction and it is on the advice of the government that the BCCI chose not to participate in any bilateral cricket with Pakistan.

Pakistan board was caught by surprise at Khurshid's deposition as he was only represented by its former chief Najam Sethi and Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad.

Rahul Johri BCCI CEO was instrumental in setting up the legal workforce to represent the board and led India's fightback in the matter.