BCCI awaits tax clearance for ICC Knockout

The Government of India is yet to accept the cricket board's request for a tax waiver for hosting next year's ICC Knockout Cup following the board's threat to boycott major events.

The stand-off puts a question mark on India's chances of hosting the tournament because Monday was the International Cricket Council's deadline for the Board of Control for Cricket in India to give its consent to host the event.

A Sports Ministry official, who did not want to be named, said his ministry would consider the tax-exemption request after the board says it wants to host the tournament.

"If they recommend and tell us they want to host, then we will consider (the tax exemption)," he added.

The BCCI had sought tax exemption after the ICC approached India in March to host the tournament, but doubts arose last week when the BCCI threatened to boycott major events such as the World Cup until the government clarified its playing guidelines.

The board announced the decision after receiving a government letter saying the team was not to play at "non-regular" venues such as Sharjah and Singapore for the next three years.

The BCCI asked the government for a clear policy decision on "non-regular" venues and which teams it could play.

The Indian government cancelled the team's proposed Test tour of Pakistan late last year and denied them permission to play in a one-day series in Sharjah earlier this month also involving Pakistan.

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Mail Cricket Editor