Let's put this dilution of concept nonsense behind us and look at the real reasons behind the BCCIs lack of enthusiasm for Pakistan's proposal for its games to be played in Dubai. The reasons are fourfold.
1. Since the late eighties BCCI has been averse to Dubai and has tried to keep the cricket there to a minimum. The reasons for this are basically financial. In the early days Dubai's cricket organizers made a lot of money (for that time) by primarily holding Pakistan and India games. BCCI realized the potential and also saw Dubai as a threat to its dominance. If there was a lot of money to be made why shouldn't it be the one to do so? Why share it when it controlled the team? The betting and other issues have been smoke screens. The BCCI does not like to share. This is also apparent in its treatment of the ICL. The ICC wanted the BCCI to come to terms with ICL but it refused. And it wanted BCCI to come to terms because legally it was in a vulnerable spot. Even now most elements in the ICC do not have a problem with the PCB playing its games in Dubai but they dare not upset the BCCI. BCCI, if past history is something to go by, will not relent on this by itself. The only thing that may compel the ICC to force a resolution is the threat of the lawsuit. Even then it is hard to see the BCCI relent. Dubai is a viable market that the BCCI feels cuts into its market (because of demographics). It wants to keep the venue unviable.
1. Since the late eighties BCCI has been averse to Dubai and has tried to keep the cricket there to a minimum. The reasons for this are basically financial. In the early days Dubai's cricket organizers made a lot of money (for that time) by primarily holding Pakistan and India games. BCCI realized the potential and also saw Dubai as a threat to its dominance. If there was a lot of money to be made why shouldn't it be the one to do so? Why share it when it controlled the team? The betting and other issues have been smoke screens. The BCCI does not like to share. This is also apparent in its treatment of the ICL. The ICC wanted the BCCI to come to terms with ICL but it refused. And it wanted BCCI to come to terms because legally it was in a vulnerable spot. Even now most elements in the ICC do not have a problem with the PCB playing its games in Dubai but they dare not upset the BCCI. BCCI, if past history is something to go by, will not relent on this by itself. The only thing that may compel the ICC to force a resolution is the threat of the lawsuit. Even then it is hard to see the BCCI relent. Dubai is a viable market that the BCCI feels cuts into its market (because of demographics). It wants to keep the venue unviable.
2. Its the money. While they will pay out hosting fees there is other money involved. On one hand PCB is accused of getting free money for doing nothing. They are shouted down by slogans such as taking the tournament hostage and blackmailers but when they try to go out and participate and find their own solution they are accused of breaking the code of the brotherhood. After all they are not taking any money that would have originally gone to the other hosts. Financially they are trying to find the best deal for them which also makes sense tournament-wise and also gives them a hand in the organization of the tournament. There is all this talk of standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and here the countries of the ICC have a choice to allow the PCB to do what it can in Dubai but most of them are silent in fear of the wrath of the BCCI.
3. Its payback for the IPL ban. There are at least two other actions that support this line of conduct. One, removing the PCB team from the Champions League without any notification or talks on an ad hoc basis where rules were virtually created out of nothing to suit the BCCI agenda. There is also currently a cessation of the BCCI-PCB tours. Its a way to force PCB to play in India while not playing in Pakistan. Two, when Ranatunga was threatening IPL participation of Sri Lanka's players the BCCI went to the Sri Lankan government behaving like the East India Company. After the BCCI tour to Pakistan had been cancelled PCB had arranged a tour with Sri Lanka. BCCI went to Sri Lanka offering games instead resulting in the modified tour.
3. Its payback for the IPL ban. There are at least two other actions that support this line of conduct. One, removing the PCB team from the Champions League without any notification or talks on an ad hoc basis where rules were virtually created out of nothing to suit the BCCI agenda. There is also currently a cessation of the BCCI-PCB tours. Its a way to force PCB to play in India while not playing in Pakistan. Two, when Ranatunga was threatening IPL participation of Sri Lanka's players the BCCI went to the Sri Lankan government behaving like the East India Company. After the BCCI tour to Pakistan had been cancelled PCB had arranged a tour with Sri Lanka. BCCI went to Sri Lanka offering games instead resulting in the modified tour.
4. BCCI does not need PCB anymore. BCCI already got the votes and support it needed against the PCBs ICL players which were the most threat to it since they were closest to the current international players that the ICL had. With all the money now involved the other big boards are now willing to get into bed with BCCI rather enthusiastically as observed in SA during the IPL when all CSA could think of was how to get the IPL again and MCCs overtures for games at its ground. They all have now teams in the Champions League. Champions League will become an instrument of keeping the smaller boards in line. Anyone who does not act in a way that the BCCI feels is proper will find itself cutoff.
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