Asian countries support BCCI over Sivaramakrishnan's ICC appointment

Even as the controversy over Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's appointment to the ICC Cricket Committee raged on, the BCCI on Monday received support from its Asian allies Sri Lanka and Pakistan who claimed allegations of the Indian Cricket Board forcing a re-vote were baseless.

The furore over the appointment seemed to have created a rift in the cricket world with the Asian countries throwing their weight behind BCCI, which is apparently unhappy with all the noises being made over the former leg-spinner's appointment to the current player's committee.

There were reports earlier on Sunday that a miffed India was threatening to pull out of the upcoming Champions Trophy to be held in England in June.

However, when contacted, a top BCCI official denied such a move.

"There is no question of pulling out of the Champions Trophy," the top BCCI official told PTI.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan Crickets Boards have backed the BCCI on the issue.

"It's very unfortunate see allegations come when an Asian or an Indian player comes into play. When it comes to Laxman Sivaramakrishnan serving in the cricket committee, we look at his cricketing ability," said Sri Lanka Cricket's secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

PCB chief Zaka Ashraf said, "Because of certain unanimous policies of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, they are opposed to such policies, why?"

Sivaramakrishnan, who is employed by the BCCI as a commentator, replaced Tim May on the cricket committee on May 6, an appointment that attracted criticism from various quarters.

The furore over the Indian's appointment was caused following allegations that BCCI forced a re-vote to get Sivaramakrishnan on the committee after May won the initial vote 9-1.