The International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that the board is exploring possible alternative nations that could host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2021 which is scheduled to be played in India four years from now.
Many sporting events receive tax exemptions from the host's government (India), but the ICC has not availed so far and due to this concern, the board is now turning their heads towards countries with a similar time zone while they simultaneously look for a breakthrough with the Indian government.
"In other matters, the Board expressed their concern around the absence of a tax exemption from the Indian Government for ICC events held in India despite ongoing efforts from both the ICC and BCCI to secure the exemption which is standard practice for major sporting events around the world," it was stated in an ICC release.
"The Board agreed that ICC management, supported by the BCCI will continue the dialogue with the Indian Government but in the meantime directed ICC management to explore alternative host countries in a similar time zone for the ICC Champions Trophy 2021."
New nations Afghanistan and Ireland who were granted Full Member status in June 2017, will receive increased fund allocations.
"The new model will see Ireland and Afghanistan each receiving a percentage of the projected surplus, amounting under current projections to approximately $40m each over the course of the current eight-year commercial rights cycle," ICC stated.
The BCCI, in its Special General Body Meeting in December last, had announced that the country will host the 2021 Champions Trophy as well as the 2023 World Cup.
According to reports, the ICC is fearing a revenue loss of at least USD 100 million if tax exemption is not granted for the mega tournament.
The Indian government did not provide tax exemption for the 2016 World T20.
Additionally, the ICC Board was provided with an update on the ongoing suspension of Nepal. Following an ICC delegation to Nepal in January, the ICC Board was informed that a general meeting will be held in Nepal in March to adopt an agreed and amended constitution by which the membership base will be determined.
This process is expected to be completed by March with a view to Nepal being readmitted to a membership at the ICC's Annual Conference in June.
The ICC Board also received an update on progress regarding the establishment of a National Governing Body in the USA following the expulsion of USACA in June 2017.
A new NGB -- USA Cricket -- and the election of a new Board and Chair under a new constitution is expected to be completed in early June. It is envisaged that USA Cricket will subsequently be in a position to apply to become an Associate Member at the ICC Annual Conference.
The ICC had also announced Indra Nooyi, Chairwoman and CEO of PepsiCo as the council's first female independent Director, as a part of a wide-ranging constitutional change to improve the global governance of the sport.
(With PTI Inputs)
