NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly requested compensation from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) due to the loss of gate revenue resulting from Asia Cup matches being hosted in Sri Lanka.
Although the PCB has not officially commented on this matter, it has been reported by some media outlets that PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf sent a formal letter to ACC president Jay Shah, outlining the demand for compensation.
Ashraf has expressed his disappointment with how the scheduling of the matches in Sri Lanka was managed by the ACC. In his letter, he has questioned who was responsible for making last-minute decisions to change venues without consulting other ACC board members.
This request for compensation reflects the PCB's concern about the financial impact of the venue changes on its revenue and its desire for accountability regarding the decision-making process within the ACC. It remains to be seen how the ACC responds to this request and whether any compensation will be provided.
Ashraf's letter also mentions a meeting between some ACC members including those from Sri Lanka and Pakistan after the contest between India and Nepal.
“In the meeting it was agreed that since the forecast is that Hambantota would remain dry the matches in Colombo should be moved there,” Ashraf has written.
As per the letter, it was decided on September 5 by both the host countries and the ACC that matches should be moved to Hambantota, following which Sri Lanka's head curator was dispatched to prepare the pitches.
The letter also mentions that even the broadcast crew had started making arrangements for moving to Hambantota.
The letter says that the ACC sent an email to the PCB confirming it, which would be sending across a press release to announce the shift in venue.
Ashraf has expressed surprise that after a while, the PCB was told to not consider the email, but later it was announced that the matches would be held as per the original schedule in Kandy and Colombo.
He has also expressed displeasure on the way the hosts Pakistan have been ignored while key decisions on the tournament and venues were taken.
(With PTI inputs)
