Pakistan likely to boycott Sharjah event (30 July 1999)

30 July 1999

Pakistan likely to boycott Sharjah event

Samiul Hasan

Karachi, July 29: The ad hoc committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating pulling out its team from October's Sharjah Champions Trophy, informed sources said.

The Sharjah contest, to be played between Oct 13 to 22, will also be competed by former world champions Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

According to an agreement between Pakistan and the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS), the team is bound to tour Sharjah at least once each year till 2000.

But the ad hoc committee has objected to the CBFS's decision to pay Pakistan a token money from the television rights it has signed with TransWorld International (TWI).

"The CBFS has signed a $25 million contract with TWI. But is paying just $225,000 to Pakistan which is peanuts. We strongly object to this rational and are seriously considering to pull-out from the Sharjah tournament in protest," a top ad hoc committee official stated.

The official added that he would also be discussing the issue with the Indian cricket board officials and would seek their help. "India will also be getting the same money.

"The point is that TWI signed a lucrative deal because Pakistan and India tour Sharjah and play matches. Therefore, we have a claim to ask for more share from the television rights.

"Ask TWI, will they pay a similar amount to CBFS if New Zealand or England or even South Africa are playing? People of the Emirates want to see Pakistan and India in action.

"The CBFS is cashing in on the names of Pakistan and Indian cricketers without giving their boards the share they deserve," the official added.

The official, requesting not to be identified, added that the players have also lodged a serious complain against the attitude of the CBFS officials.

The official said the players have reported that they have received cold-shoulder treatment on several occasions as they have not received things according to their entitlement.

He added that Pakistan cricket team was not a second-class team. He said the team was the second best in the world and the cricket board knew how to safeguard the interest of its players and reputation of the institution.

Asked if Pakistan withdraw from the Sharjah contest, the board can be taken to court for breach of contract, the official replied: "I don't care. We will fight the case in the court of law and even if we have to pay the damage, we will pay them but will not allow anyone to toy with us.

"The days when the CBFS used to dictate terms are over. We want business," he stressed.

The board official, nevertheless, said the ad hoc committee was ready to negotiate with the CBFS if the emirates officials contacted him.

He stated that the committee wanted to honour all its international commitments and would go full distance to fulfil the engagements.

Source :: The Dawn(www.dawn.com)