MPA imbroglio solved, BCCI fears allayed: ICC

Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) President Percy Sonn today said the issue of the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) had been sorted out at the two-day executive board meeting and all countries have agreed to sign it.

Speaking to the media after conclusion of the two-day executive board meet here today, Mr Sonn said all outstanding issues surrounding the MPA had been sorted out in the meeting and the ICC could now move ahead.

He further said that all fears and apprehensions of the Indian cricket board over the MPA had been allayed and all the members have decided to sign the MPA and take cricket forward.

On the issue of India bidding for the global rights of the ICC, Mr Sonn said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to withdraw its application for the tender and now the process would proceed further.

Mr Malcolm Speed, chief executive of ICC who was also present on the occasion, said that 22 major companies had already purchased the tender document and the closing date of filing the tender is November 10.

In another decision, the ICC has decided to allow Zimbabwe a Test status again beginning from November 2007. However, the ICC has asked them to have more matches of the longer version in the meantime and also get their house in order before November 2007, which they have agreed to do.

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