Pakistan wants $18 million for missing out on World Cup 2011
Aah! Pakistan continues to remain in the news for all reasons possible. A day after PCB and ICC resolved their dispute over World Cup 2011 matches, PCB on Friday hoped to get $18 million in compensation for losing its share of World Cup 2011 matches over security fears.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt met in Dubai said Pakistan expects to get $18 million in all. “Apart from our hosting rights fee of 10.5 million dollars, we expect to get some additional amount in compensation which, after calculation, will come to 18 million dollars,” Butt told a press conference on his return from Dubai.
In April this year, the ICC was forced to relocate Pakistan’s share of 14 matches because of security fears after attacks in its eastern city of Lahore on the Sri Lankan team on March 3.
The move had prompted the PCB to serve a legal notice on the ICC, saying the relocation was unjust, but after Thursday’s agreement they have withdrawn the legal case.
Butt said the solution was the best possible under the circumstances. “We feel that this was the best possible solution and we will get additional amount and would not be forced to beg around for money to keep our cricket on track,” said Butt, whose organisation is strapped for cash with no international cricket at home.
Butt accused India of vetoing Pakistan’s request of hosting its World Cup matches on neutral venues, notably in the United Arab Emirates where Pakistan have recently played after teams refused to tour.
“Morgan and incoming ICC President Sharad Pawar had no problems in Pakistan hosting their matches at neutral venues, but the Indian Board refused to accept that,” he said.
“England hosted some of the matches in Ireland and Scotland during the 1999 World Cup and when the World Cup was held in South Africa in 2003 some of the matches were held in Zimbabwe and Kenya. It could have happened again.”
Well, the ICC will surely have to keep everyone and avoid confrontations and rub any member’s shoulder the wrong way. But will PCB get $18 million…watch out this space for more!!!
