Asian teams threaten to boycott ICC trophy

Karachi, May 31: The Asian cricket playing nations have threatened to withdraw from October's International Cricket Council (ICC) knock out tournament in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to sources, the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) has warned the ICC that if the development funds for Asia were not increased, the teams wouldn't participate. Of the four, Bangladesh are on the threshold of Test status.

The ACF has urged the ICC to decide about the increase in their development funds in next month's meeting. The officials said the present funds for Asia were smaller than the North Americans were getting for development of the game from the ICC.

Sources said the move has been generated by Jaghmohan Dalmiya who takes over as ACF president next month after completing his term as ICC chief.

The PCB has also supported the proposal.

Officials claimed that the ICC was earning more from Asia than from any other continent because of sponsors and television rights. "Therefore, our share from the profits and funds should be more than other continent."

A percentage from the profits of the ICC tournaments are equally divided amongst Test playing countries while a certain percentage is allocated for development.