ICC 'disappointed' at India's withdrawal from Asian Test meet

World cricket's governing body Thursday expressed "disappointment" that India had pulled out of the Asian Test Championship (ATC) that begins at Multan in Pakistan August 29 but said that it could do little to overturn the decision.

"The ICC (International Cricket Council) is disappointed to learn that the Indian government has refused to sanction a match against Pakistan as part of the ATC," a statement issued from London said.

"This is a political decision taken by the Indian government. While the ICC can and does seek to influence political decisions in the interests of cricket, it clearly has no power to overturn them," the statement said.

"The ICC would also make clear that as part of the political process, this matter has been taken outside of the control of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)," the statement added.

The government said Tuesday that the "situation was not conducive" for direct cricket contests between India and Pakistan and that it had rejected the BCCI's plea to send a team for the ATC.

The decision was announced after a meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L.K. Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

India were to play an ATC match against Pakistan at Lahore September 13-17. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the other teams in the biennial, four-nation championships.

The BCCI said Wednesday that it had no intention of appealing against the government decision.

"India will not take part in the championship," J.Y. Lele, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told IANS. "We will not appeal to the government to reconsider its decision."

The Indian boycott could lead to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is organising the tournament, slapping a huge monetary fine on the BCCI.

Due to the government's objections, India did not tour Pakistan for a Test and one-day series early this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board claims New Delhi's decision caused it a $15 million loss.

Top Pakistani and ACC officials have reacted angrily to India's move to boycott the Asian championship.