PCB blames BCCI for delay in Asian Cup venue finalisation

Karachi, Dec 28 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board has held
its Indian counterpart responsible for the delay in finalising
the venue for the next year's Asian Cup.
PCB chief Ejaz Butt, who is also the Asian Cricket
Council (ACC) chairman, was not happy with the attitude of the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as far as the ACC
matters were concerned, sources said.
"Apparently the Indians take little interest in ACC
issues and that is why the venue for the Asia Cup has not been
finalised as yet although China and Malaysia were shortlisted
for the event," the source said.
Butt returned home from Singapore after chairing the ACC
meeting and told the media that a committee, headed by
BCCI secretary N Srinivasan had been formed to finalise the
venue for Asia Cup.
"The committee will look into all the modalities of
holding the Asia Cup in either of these associate member
countries," Butt added.
The same committee would also look into the possibility
of how soon bilateral cricket ties between Pakistan and India
can be revived, Butt said.
Pakistan hosted the last Asia Cup in 2008.
"One of the primary beneficiaries of the Asia Cup are the
associate members who get funds and a chance to play alongside
the full members. But ever since Butt took over as the ACC
chairman, the Indians have not bothered to even attend all the
meetings," one PCB source said.
The source also said Butt had also tried to raise the
issue of Indo-Pak bilateral ties at the ACC meeting but there
was no positive response from the Indians.
Butt also described 2009 as a better year for Pakistan
cricket, which surprised many who wondered how the year gone
by could be described as a better one considering that an
terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team in March had virtually
ended all international crickets in the strife-torn country.
"This year we also lost the World Cup hosting rights and
the only bright spot has been out Twenty20 World Cup win," one
former player noted. PTI CORR
MYR