BCB dampens 'revival of international cricket' hopes in Pakistan

Islamabad, Mar 13 (ANI): The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has dampened hopes of revival of international cricket in Pakistan, by objecting to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executives Committee's (CEC) decision to recommend non-neutral officials for a proposed series between the two countries.

The ICC CEC had agreed to recommend non-neutrals to officiate in the series, which is yet to be finalised, in case security apprehensions do not allow the sport's world governing body to send its own officials to Pakistan, The Express Tribune reports.

The ICC added that "a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board."

However, responding to the development, BCB President Mustafa Kamal said that the board will not compromise on the ICC's rules for the proposed series.

"We will not play the series without neutral umpires. We will only send the team if the series is played as per the ICC rules," Kamal said.

He further said that the BCB will not confirm the tour without the ICC's clearance, although the governing body stated that giving clearance was not in its domain and depends on the participating countries.

"The ICC must play its role as a member body. We are not going there without the ICC and our government's clearance," he added.

His statement is contrary to his earlier one in which he had claimed: "I want to help Pakistan revive international cricket. I promised the security team visit and I went there."

"But the security threat cannot be ignored. I am not alone in deciding the tour as there are many other officials from the government who are involved in reaching a conclusion. A report is yet to be finalised and anything on touring Pakistan will be decided by the end of this month," he added. (ANI)