Karachi: Former ICC President Ehsan Mani feels PCB’s decision to file a compensation claim against the Indian Cricket Board will lead to bad blood and impact future cricket relations between the two nations. The Pakistan Cricket Board has filed a compensation claim of USD 70 million against BCCI before the ICC for not honouring a bilateral cricket series agreement.
“I have concerns about the consequences of this case whatever its outcome. What I am concerned about is the affect it is going to have on cricket relations between the two countries in the long run,” Mani said on Geo Super channel.“I just think all avenues of talks, discussions and back door diplomacy were not explored by the PCB before going ahead with its compensation claim in the ICC.
“I would have waited and first exhausted all options of trying to get something out of India for them not playing bilateral ties with Pakistan before opting for the compensation claim option,” he added. Mani, who served as ICC President between 2003-2006, said even if Pakistan won its compensation claim what guarantee is there India would agree to pay out the amount.
“Say if Pakistan is successful in its compensation claim what happens if India holds back the money. Then Pakistan has to go to the ICC board and it will not help relations between both countries,” he said. Mani said even though there was a clause that said the Disputes Resolution Committee’s decision was binding on both parties and could not be challenged in any other forum, but when it came to money things often get ugly.
