Bangladesh Cricket Board accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of lying after the latter claimed it was kept out of the process for release of the players for the Bangladesh Premier League.
The PCB in a statement on Wednesday alleged that the auction of the Pakistani cricketers was done without prior intimation to them and that they were kept out of the process.
The PCB, which refused to release their players finally, apparently in retaliation for Bangladesh’s decision of not touring their country in January as planned, alleged that the BCB contacted directly with the players and their agents.
The BCB said it was surprised and disappointed at the claims and said the Board duly maintained the process.
‘In this regard the BCB’s position is clear,’ it said in statement on Saturday.
‘On December 5, 2012, the BCB had formally written to the national cricket associations of all full members of the ICC seeking support and cooperation for issuance of ‘No Objection Certificate’ to the cricketers of their respective countries who were interested in participating in the second edition of the BPL T20,’ it added.
‘The subsequent player auction, in which a good number of Pakistani players were bought by different franchises, received worldwide media coverage.
At no point during the continuous communication between the BCB and the PCB on various matters since the BPL 2013 auction on December 20 did the PCB raise any question on the NOC issue until January 16.
‘This last-minute stance of the PCB of denying permission to its players to participate in the BPL, therefore, came as a complete surprise and left the BCB, the organisers of the BPL, and the franchises facing a difficult and embarrassing situation,’ said the statement.
The BCB reminded the PCB of its past contribution to Pakistan cricket apparently replying to part of their statement which said they were historically supportive of the BCB.
‘The history of cooperation between the BCB and the PCB is not unilateral,’ said the BCB statement.
‘Bangladesh played a significant role in the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan following the Australian team’s refusal to play there due to security concerns in March 2008.
‘It was the BCB which showed confidence in Pakistan and sent the national team there in April 2008 to play five ODIs and a T20 international.
‘The BCB also opened its doors to the Pakistani cricketers in the first edition of the BPL and the players were immensely benefited financially and from a competition point of view.
‘The BCB had attempted to tour Pakistan in 2012 and 2013 out of goodwill and from a genuine intent of trying to assist a fellow ICC full member in getting international cricket back in their country.
‘This was never seen as a bargaining tool, a compromise or the consequence of any pre-condition.
‘The BCB also wishes to reiterate the fact that its main priority while considering a tour to Pakistan has always been players’ safety and security and the presence of a congenial atmosphere for staging international cricket,’ said the statement.
The BCB said that it greatly values the friendship and bond with the PCB which is based on mutual respect and understanding and hoped this relationship will continue to get stronger in the coming days.
-With New Age input
