LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has admitted a request made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for financial assistance in organizing international cricket series at the neutral venues in the UAE.
“The PCB made a request for special assistance fund to be allocated to Pakistan in the light of its financial issues related to lack of any international cricket at home. The ICC Board, on the recommendation of the Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee, agreed that some form of assistance will be provided and the matter will be discussed with the PCB,” the ICC stated in a press release issued on Friday at the end of its board meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had made the request about six months back which finally got the nod of the ICC Board. Shaharyar did not attend the ICC meeting in Cape Town as he is recovering from a heart surgery in London. Chairman of the PCB executive committee Najam Sethi attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the ICC has also announced further financial assistant for Ireland and Afghanistan cricket.
“The ICC Board approved further payments of $500,000 to Ireland and Afghanistan, repeating the additional ICC investment of 2016 to stage more ODIs and T20Is. $250,000 will also be given to each of the other Associate Members with ODI and T20I status for the same purpose.
“This investment is to continue to increase the number of competitive teams on the world stage and comes on top of their existing member distribution,” the press release further stated.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “We have had a productive week working with our Members for the long-term benefit of cricket. We are continuing our work on the whole ICC governance structure, including the revenue share model, and I expect a proposal to go to our board next year.
“A number of decisions have been taken, particularly on the governance of cricket in the USA, women’s cricket and funding of associate cricket to drive up playing standards,” it added.