Mani advises PCB to not follow BCCI blindly

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board of not following the BCCI blindly and insisted that the relation between the two boards should be based on mutual benefits.

Mani advised the board to not sacrifice the interests of Pakistan cricket.

"They blindly followed what the BCCI conveyed to them.

The officials showed a lack of competence by saying yes without putting forward the board's (PCB) point of view," Mani said.

The former president though said that the resumption of cricketing ties between the two nations will be good for the overall sport.

"As far as the resumption is concerned, it will be good for world cricket, fans and help in bridging gaps between the two countries," Mani told the Express Tribune.

A couple of days earlier former PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, had also urged the board to seek compensation from India for the cancelled tour of 2009.

The BCCI had earlier this month officially invited

Pakistan to tour India for a short one-day series in December to signal the revival of bilateral ties, suspended since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008.

The PCB, after accepting the invitation, sparked off a debate by issuing a statement that it would not seek a revenue share from the BCCI in the coming series and that it's only interest was to revive cricket ties with India.

Mani said while it was true that cricket helped people of both countries to get closer, the PCB should gain something from the series.

Mani also felt that the PCB wasted a great opportunity of earning immense revenue, which is expected from the forthcoming battle.

"The PCB should have demanded the revenue sharing. The BCCI is expected to earn a sum of USD 100 million from the series. But if the PCB is conceding the revenue then it should take BCCI's word about the next series which is very important," he added.

Mani pointed out that under the ICC FTP, India had to compensate Pakistan for the cancelled tour of 2009 when India was to play a full series in Pakistan. The tour was put off due to the terror attacks in Mumbai.

He said the PCB must convince the BCCI to confirm a return series at any neutral venue.

Butt also this week expressed surprise over the PCB stance and insisted that while he was heading the PCB, his stance had been that both boards must work on mutual respect and benefits.

Some former Test cricketers have also expressed surprise at the stance adopted by the PCB and advised the the board chief, Zaka Ashraf to get some monetary benefits from the coming series for Pakistan cricket.