ICC cannot force India to play bilateral series with Pakistan: ICC CEO

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dave Richardson has cleared the hub bub that the ICC cannot force India to play a bilateral series with Pakistan. Talking to media on Thursday in Lahore, Richardson also banishes the impression that ICC backs India’s decision and has a bigger leaning towards Indian Cricket as compared to Pakistan Cricket.

The idea to have a bilateral series between the two arch-rivals is not only to create handsome revenue but also to increase affectionate concordance between the two nations; for which sport is a great medium. It is believed that the series will bring people together which would help them in the long run. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) isn’t interested in organizing a bilateral series between the two nations eyeing security threats and ICC seems to support their decision.

Can’t force India

“If India is not ready to play with Pakistan, we can’t force them to do so. You have to understand that bilateral series is always held with the agreement of two cricket boards and thought we would like to see India and Pakistan play bilateral matches they have political tensions and any cricket is dependent on their existing relations,” Richardson said.

He, however, made it clear that in future if the two teams are in the same group, they will have to play each other. On one hand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that they aren’t eyeing any series with Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) still demands a compensation claim from its counterpart.

ICC treats every member equally

The ICC CEO made it clear that the apex body is neutral when it comes to India-Pakistan personal relations. “We are aware that Pakistan has even offered BCCI the option of playing at neutral venues and they are going to the ICC disputes resolution committee with their claim but we remain neutral,” Richardson stated.

He knows that Indian Cricket gives them serious business but even then, he personally rate every member equally. “India gives the ICC a lot of business but in our eyes all member nations are equal,” he further specified.

Absence of Indian players from the World XI squad

He also spoke about the absence of any Indian player in the World XI squad and said it was a combined decision of both ICC and World XI coach Andy Flower because of the sensitivity of the tour.

“If an Indian player had been in the team this tour would have got a lot more attention and it would have meant more pressure and security requirements for everyone,” he concluded.