PCB chief prefers to stay away from Hasan Ali gesture that sparked controversy

Kolkata: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi today again claimed that they have a ‘contract’ with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which stated both the sides will play six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023.

“We say it’s a binding contract, let them decide whether it’s a contract or not. We have challenged it. This question will be decided by the dispute resolution committee of the ICC. We will wait for the dispute resolution,” Sethi told the reporters on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Kolkata today.

The Pakistan Cricket Board wants $70 million compensation from the BCCI and not only that they has also initiated dispute resolution proceedings against them. A panel of ICC, comprising of three members will take a decision regarding this matter in a hearing in Dubai later in October.

Meanwhile, Sethi also said India have not slotted Pakistan in its FTP draft submitted to the ICC for 2019-23.

“India have not slotted any games. That’s consistent with India’s position. What’s consistent with our position is we say there’s a contract and India have to play or give us compensation.”

BCCI Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary had said the that BCCI “never signed any contract” with PCB with regards to bilateral series and it was a ‘statement of intent.’

“If the dispute resolution committee says we don’t have a case then this FTP is okay. If they say India do not have a case then ICC will have to change this FTP.

“We have put our reservations and our conditional acceptance to it subject to the dcision of the dispute reservation committee. We have challenged it,” Sethi said.

Meanwhile, PCB chairman refused to attach any importance to Pakistan cricketer Hasan Ali’s signature wicket-taking celebration during the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border that did not go down well with the Border Security Force (BSF) of India.

“I don’t want to go there, then we will bring politics. Cricket teams always go to the Wagah Border. I don’t attribute any importance to it,” Sethi said on the sidelines of the  five-day ICC meeting here.

Few days ago, a video of Ali taking part in the beating retreat ceremony, which is performed by soldiers from BSF and Pakistan Rangers every evening at the Wagah border, went viral on social media.

In the clip, the Pakistan pacer was seen patting his thighs and raising his arms before breaking into the kind of unique celebration he does on the cricket field after claiming a wicket, as soldiers from Pakistan Rangers stood in the background.

He was later escorted back by a man in civilian clothes amid thunderous applause from the audience.

The BSF has decided to lodge an official protest with Pakistan Rangers over the breach of a protocol.