While the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Thursday that its talks with the rebel Indian Cricket League had failed in its first attempt and there are no plans of another meeting, the International Cricket Council preferred to adopt a wait-and-watch policy in this regard.
The ICC, however, clarified that it did not ask the BCCI to hold talks with the ICL but it was the latter that requested for the same.
"The BCCI had in our Dubai meeting requested the ICC to enable them meet the ICL officials," said Haroon Lorgat, ICC Chief Executive, speaking during the course of the Mohali Test.
"We're going through a process, so I can't speculate on a possible outcome. We are waiting for a formal report from the BCCI regarding the meeting," he added.
The ICC chief, however, had few positives words for the ICL players.
"The players have a right to choose the team they want to play for. But if they have to face the consequences that flow from that choice, then it is what it is. IPL is according to the norms of ICC while ICL is not," he clarified, when asked whether an ICL player will be able to represent his country.
In a terse statement on Thursday, BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said, "The talks failed and there are no plans for any further meeting," but Lorgat said the international body will wait for the BCCI report before taking a final call.
Lorgat also voiced concern over the lack of spectators for Test cricket.
"Absolutely, all of us are concerned at the lack of spectators on the field. I guess the evidence has to be taken from the attendance. In Bangalore it was decent, but in Mohali it is disappointing," said Lorgat, while adding that it would take some effort to bring back the numbers.
"It is a challenge, no doubt. The interest in the shortest form of the game is growing. ICC has to try and convert that interest into the longer form," he admitted. "We are going to look at it seriously and try and protect the form of cricket we all love (Tests)."
