PCB, BCB at loggerheads over demand for revenue share

Karachi: The Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards are at loggerheads after the former recently refused to drop its demand for a 50 percent share in revenues for touring Bangladesh in April-May.

A former administrator in the board said that Pakistan was treading a dangerous path by demanding a share in the revenues for the upcoming series in Bangladesh which includes two Tests, three one-day internationals and a T20 match.

"It is a risky thing because we might end up facing similar demands from the big three teams when we play England and India later this year in home series," he noted.

But a PCB official told PTI that its demand for Bangladesh to share 50 percent revenue and also commit to sending its under-19 and A teams to Pakistan were not unjustified.

"The ICC has allowed boards to negotiate on bilateral series and realistically speaking we want to gain something out of touring Bangladesh," he said.

The official also brushed aside concerns that other top boards might make similar demands from Pakistan pointing out that the green shirts were a much more saleable team than Bangladesh.

"We don't want to demean any team or board but we also have to look at our interests now. We held discussions with their officials recently in Dubai and gave our reasons for making these demands. They have promised to get back to us after consulting their government," the PCB official said.

The Bangladesh board initially reacted strongly to the Pakistan demand and rejected a share in the revenues saying this was unheard of in bilateral series agreements.

The two boards have not enjoyed the best of relations in the last three years as the PCB was initially upset at Bangladesh not supporting them when the ICC moved the 2011 World Cup matches from Pakistan.

Than Bangladesh twice called off short tours to Pakistan over security concerns after Pakistan had, under an agreement, supported their candidate, Mostafa Kamal, for the President's post in the ICC.

"Our line is clear we want a share in revenues and also a firm written commitment they will send their under-19 and A teams to Pakistan in the near future because it is also important for us to revive some international cricket at home and we are willing to provide the best security arrangements for any team," the PCB official said.