ICC spending over a million USD on the Independence Cup

The World XI series finally got underway with the star studded side taking on hosts Pakistan in the first T20 at Lahore. With the game getting underway, cricket made a comeback to the Pakistani soil. Needless to say, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have worked very hard to get things going for the series named Independence Cup.

As per the recent reports in Geo.tv, the ICC has shelled out over a million dollars for organizing the series. The funds have been given to the PCB as a part of the compensation that the board demanded for having suffered due to lack on home matches in the last decade.

“The amount is paid to internationally recognised security firms hired by the PCB for the series. ICC can’t compensate boards for missing the opportunity to host series at home, so the council decided to assist Pakistan in the best possible way,” a source quoted.

ICC’s statement

Earlier, the international board had remarked that they will be assisting the PCB for hosting the World XI series. They had said in a statement that the PCB have made a request for the same. However, the amount that they will be giving out to the PCB was not mentioned back 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 board, 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 had said in a statement earlier.

The funds have reportedly been used to hire security experts from around the world for organizing the three-match series.

“The ICC then suggested PCB hire internationally recognized security experts for the World XI series and their fees would be paid by the council,” the source conceded.