The ICC’s meeting with Pakistan in Lahore has pushed the ICC-PCB issue into sharper focus. Since the talks, there has been growing discussion on how the matter may unfold. With the issue moving across forums, uncertainty remains over the next steps. Pakistan has placed several conditions before the ICC, including a demand to increase Bangladesh’s share of ICC revenue. The ICC’s response to this demand has now emerged.
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Pakistan places three demands before the ICC
According to a report published by Telecom Asia, the three demands Pakistan has put forward before the ICC include an increase in dividend payouts and issues related to protocol, such as handshakes during India-Pakistan matches.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s leading daily, The Dawn's report that the PCB has raised concerns over Bangladesh’s revenue share. Pakistan has demanded that Bangladesh be given a higher portion of ICC earnings.
According to the report, the ICC has made it clear that there is no plan to provide Bangladesh with additional funds beyond its existing entitlement. However, Bangladesh will continue to receive its full dividend from ICC revenue, as per the current structure.
PCB flags concerns over BCCI’s influence
The Pakistan Cricket Board has also expressed dissatisfaction over several broader issues, including what it sees as the BCCI’s growing dominance within the ICC. As per The Dawn, the PCB has urged the ICC to keep politics out of cricket administration and conveyed its discomfort with what it views as excessive preference being given to the BCCI.
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India-Bangladesh factor adds to tensions
One of the key reasons cited for Pakistan’s reluctance to play India in the World Cup is its dissatisfaction with ICC decisions related to Bangladesh, particularly involving matches to be played in India. Pakistan believes India is directly linked to these decisions.
According to informed sources, Pakistan is aware that the ICC would incur significant financial losses if an India-Pakistan match does not take place. Leveraging this, Pakistan is believed to be complicating the situation by raising multiple issues simultaneously.
