ICC accepts PCB's request for special financial assistance

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has accepted Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request for special financial assistance for organising international cricket series at the neutral venues in the UAE. The request was put out by PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan about six months back. International cricket has been stalled in the country since five years after militants attacked the visiting Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009 attack. Pakistan has been hosting its home game at UAE since then.

“The PCB made a request for a special assistance fund to be allocated to Pakistan in light of its financial issues related to not being able to compete at home. The ICC, on the recommendation of the Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee, agreed that some form of assistance will be provided and the matter will be discussed with PCB going forward,” the ICC stated in a press release after the end of its board meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

Meanwhile, the world cricket body has also announced further financial assistant for Ireland and Afghanistan cricket with an aim to increase the number of ODI and T20 teams.

“The ICC Board also approved further payments of USD 500,000 to Ireland and Afghanistan, repeating the additional ICC investment of 2016 to stage more ODIs and T20Is. USD 250,000 will also be given to each of the other Associate Members with ODI and T20I status for the same purpose. This investment is to continue to increase the number of competitive teams on the world stage and comes on top of their existing member distribution,” the ICC stated.

ICC chief Shashank Manohar said, “We have had a productive week working with our Members for the long-term benefit of cricket. We are continuing our work on the whole ICC governance structure, including the revenue share model, and I expect a proposal to go to our board next year.”

“A number of decisions have been taken, particularly around the governance of cricket in the USA, women’s cricket and funding of associate cricket to drive up playing standards,” he added.

There was further discussion was around the structure of international bilateral cricket as members collectively aim to bring greater context across all three formats of the game with more progress made. Further work will be undertaken around scheduling before a full proposal for consideration will go to the ICC Board in February.