In an apparent attempt to put pressure on the Indian government, the International Cricket Council said on Friday it would relocate next year's Champions Trophy to Pakistan if India failed to take a decision on giving tax-emption by May.
"The Board has resolved that the 2006 Champions Trophy be held in India subject to clearance on tax matters," ICC chief Ehsan Mani said after the two-day Executive Board meeting of the game's governing body.
"We understand that the government and the BCCI need more time. So we will wait till May," said Mani, who had held talks with the Indian officials last month asking for 100 per cent tax exemption.
Mani said if India failed to take a decision by May, then it would be be shifted to Pakistan, who have assured full tax-ememption.
"I had talks with P Chidambaram and Sunil Dutt, both of whom gave a patient hearing. At this stage I believe his (Finance) ministry is looking into the matter. So obviously nothing to be concerned.
"But we have given them a deadline till May. We want a 100 per cent exemption. Tax is an issue when you plan to host major events like F1 and tennis."
Mani said he was not in favour of the BCCI offering to bear the taxes so that the event could be staged in the country.
"It would be unfair for ICC to expect BCCI to do so. Anyway, BCCI is in touch with relevant authorities," he said.
The ICC Board took several important decisions to "move the game forward" including the structure of the international playing calendar, status of matches played as part of the ICC Super Series, the status of Kenya, Project USA and the extension of the ICC President's term.
ICC decided to give official status to all the Super Series matches -- the three one-dayers and a six-day match to be played between Australia and the World XI in Melbourne.
The Board also voted to extend the term of ICC President Ehsan Mani by 12 months, which means Mani who is in office for the last 21 months would continue till June next year.
The Board also debated alternatives to the current five-year international playing calendar that requires each country to play each other once at home and once away during this period in a minimum of two Test matches and three ODI's in each series.
The Board rejected any proposal to reduce the cycle length and has asked ICC management to investigate the practicalities and implications of moving to a 6-year international playing calendar.
In a major relief to Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, ICC made it clear that no country would lose its Test status.
"A draft of the 6-year programme, would be developed over the coming months and be presented to the Board for further consideration," ICC chief Malcolm Speed said.
