PCB opposes Big Three proposals

The PCB has strongly opposed the move to revamp the global game and called it "neither in line with principle of equity nor in the interest of game of cricket".

The announcement came after a meeting of its governing board, presided by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, who had been present at the ICC meeting in Dubai last week to discuss the radical proposals which will give the Big Three countries a larger portion of ICC revenues and more of a say in the game's administration.

"The Board Members deliberated and expressed serious concerns on the model proposed by BCCI, ECB and CA which was neither in line with principle of equity nor in the interest of game of cricket," a PCB press release said. "The Board has reiterated the position that Chairman PCB request audience with the Patron of PCB, H.E the Prime Minister to apprise him on this matter of immense significance and of national interest which will have wide reaching impact on future of cricket in Pakistan."

Ashraf said last week that he wanted all decisions to be taken through consensus, and didn't want the proposals to be approved hastily. "The Board appreciated and supported the stance taken by Chairman PCB at the last ICC Board meeting at Dubai. The Board authorised Chairman PCB Mr. Zaka Ashraf and COO Mr. Subhan Ahmad to engage with other Board members to align the common position and take other requisite remedial measures in the interest of cricket in Pakistan."

After the Dubai meeting, the ICC had said its Executive Board "unanimously supported" a set of principles which were more or less along the lines of the original proposal, though there were some concessions granted to the members outside the Big Three. The proposals had not been voted on in that meeting, but could be at the next ICC meeting in Singapore on February 8.