ICC withdraws two-tier Test proposal under pressure from BCCI

TIL Desk Sports/ The International Cricket Council withdrew its contentious proposal of having a ‘Two-Tier’ Test system following “vehement opposition” from world’s richest cricketing body BCCI with the support of Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

“The two-tier Test system proposal, which was supposed to come up for discussion during the two-day Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting in Dubai has been taken off the table keeping in mind the objections raised by four members. The ICC will now look afresh at the whole aspect,” a source in the ICC told. BCCI president Anurag Thakur, who has been a vocal critic of this move terming it a detrimental and retrograde step for the financially weaker nations, welcomed the move. “I am thankful to the members of the ICC who understood our viewpoint and agreed to take this proposal off the table.

As one of the key stakeholders in world cricket, BCCI would continue to have an inclusive approach and ensure that everyone’s interest and the growth of cricket isn’t compromised,” Thakur, who was at the forefront of the anti Two-Tier format, told. The Indian Board president said the growth and popularity of the game won’t suffer because of the existing format. “We want to grow the game and take it to new pastures and will not allow any step which can shrink the popularity and development of the game,” said Thakur.