MM News

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) board has rejected Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja’s proposal for a four-nation series, putting an end to speculations of multiple India versus Pakistan matches on neutral venues.

The proposal was discussed among full members over the weekend at the ICC meeting, first at the chief executive level and then on Sunday’s board meeting.

ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) already put forward their reservation, who are believed to be of the view that too many multilateral tournaments could dilute the value of the World Cup. The current ICC rules restrict the multi-lateral engagements to only triangular events.

“In any case, ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) was against this proposal. As we know that the MPA (Members Participation Agreement) doesn’t allow any member nation to host more than tri-nation, organising four-nation every year would have in any case devalued ICC’s own marquee events,” a board member said to Press Trust of India (PTI).

Great discussion regarding 4 Nations series today at the ICC meet. As a concept it was welcomed and debated upon and seen as promoting the interest of the game. Fingers crossed 🤞 More when I am back at the office tomorrow.

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) April 10, 2022

However, Raja was satisfied with how things panned out during the meeting. “Great discussion regarding four Nations series today at the ICC meeting. As a concept, it was welcomed and debated upon and seen as promoting the interest in the game. Fingers crossed,” tweeted Raja.

Earlier, it was reported that Ramiz’s proposal was somehow backed by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) at the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting where ECB’s Cheif Executive Tom Harrison said that that the members be allowed to organise four-nation championships at convenient windows.

Meanwhile, Ramiz’s future as chairman is also uncertain after Imran Khan was out from power through a vote of a no-confidence motion, becoming the first prime minister in the country’s history to be unseated by a parliamentary revolt.

Sources have claimed that Najam Sethi will replace Ramz Raja as the former has close ties with Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Shehbaz Sharif, who is likely to be the new prime minister.