Bindra dares ICC to cancel Mohali tie

Mohali, Oct 6 (UNI) Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) chief Inderjit Bindra today dared ICC to cancel the Champions Trophy matches allotted to Mohali saying ''we will not compromise on our principles and rights for just to host the matches.'' Accusing the world body of not being fair with the centres hosting the tournament, Bindra said, ''The ICC is most welcome to cancel the matches to be played here.'' ''We have informed the ICC through the Board that there are issues over revenue sharing. We get the full share of the gate money, and yet have been asked to surrender a number of seats and boxes -- which add up to a hefty amount -- to the ICC for their use.

''So far we have heard nothing from them as I am assuming they are in agreement with us, particularly if tomorrow's match goes through,'' he said.

''These events are like weddings. There are issues that crop up on such occasions but that does not mean the wedding will not go through. Things are talked through, but yes, there are areas we feel the ICC has not been very fair,'' Bindra said.

''In all, the PCA is spending close to six million dollars to redo the stadium. Not all of it of course is for this event, but we will suffer a fair loss of revenue. What we want is compensation for loss of seats.

''This is a point of principle we are fighting over. It has nothing to do with the money itself. When this event was held in England, the MCC carried out changes that the ICC paid for. So why not us? All we are saying is that we are spending much, much more that the ICC has budgeted as hosting charges and since we get 100 percent of gate revenue, they cannot ask us for seats thereafter. If they do, they, or someone must ay for whatever they take from us,'' he said.

''I just can't understand why ICC is shy of paying us while it readly paid to ECB,'' he said adding ''we have spent money for the event and we want it back from the organisers.'' UNI HSB DH AB BS1907