India shouldn't pay any money to PCB: Anurag Thakur ahead of ICC hearing

Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur has said  “India should not pay any money to the PCB” ahead of the International Cricket Committee’s (ICC) hearing on the Pakistan’s Cricket Board’s (PCB) claim of Rs 447 crore against India for twice refusing to play a bilateral series. 

"For number of years, nations didn't visit Pakistan to play matches. I think no official from India should attend the ICC hearing. India shouldn't pay money to Pakistan Cricket Board,” Thakur told news agency ANI. 

Earlier this month, the BCCI said it had hired a Dubai-based law firm and a British lawyer for the October’s ICC three-day hearing.Pakistan has claimed damages of approx Rs 447 crore for India not playing any bilateral cricket with them despite a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which guarantees six bilateral series between 2015 and 2023. The BCCI has asserted that the MoU is not binding on them and the PCB failed to honour some of the commitments made in the document.The ICC hearing in the matter is scheduled from October 1 to 3.

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“The BCCI has hired Dubai-based law firm Herbert Smith Freehills along with British Lawyer QC Ian Mills to represent us at the Dispute Resolution Committee hearing. Since the case is happening in Dubai, we needed a Dubai-based law firm. Also, the ICC follows British law so, QC Ian Mills is on board. We will fight this case till finish,” a senior BCCI official had earlier told news agency PTI.

Speaking on the issue, former IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said that both the cricketing boards should solve the matter among themselves rather than involving ICC in it.

”Wherever international matches are organised by the ICC or the Asian Cricket Council, we always play with Pakistan, this time we played at a neutral venue. There is no question of paying money to Pakistan Cricket Board.” 

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He added: “As far as the BCCI versus the Pakistan Cricket Board dispute is concerned, my own view is that both the Boards should resolve it amicably instead of lingering it in the ICC. The BCCI always wanted to play with Pakistan but there are certain issues, we need government’s nod to go to Pakistan to play matches,” Shukla said.

(With inputs from PTI)