Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday put up a friendly posturing, saying there was "will on both sides" to resolve the problems surrounding the venues for the Champions Trophy to be held later this year.
BCCI President Sharad Pawar and ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed, who met at the former's ministerial office, said that both sides had a "much better understanding" of each other's issues.
"The BCCI and the ICC now have a clear understanding of each other's point of view. We hope to solve the issues as soon as possible so that we can concentrate on the preparation for the 2006 Champions Trophy," Pawar, also the Union Minister for Agriculture, said after the meeting with Speed.
The BCCI finds itself in a tricky situation with regard to signing the host nation agreement with the ICC since two of the three venues -- Mumbai and Delhi -- have their own agreements with various corporates.
Speed said that one of the issues arising out of the existing contract it had with Global Cricket Corporation, who hold the rights for all ICC events till 2007, is that "we require clean cricket venues."
{{/usCountry}}Speed said that one of the issues arising out of the existing contract it had with Global Cricket Corporation, who hold the rights for all ICC events till 2007, is that "we require clean cricket venues."
{{/usCountry}}"The grounds must be free of any ad signages so that we can maximise the revenue for our sponsors," the ICC chief said.
Pawar said that Delhi had a contract with ITC who had been supporting them for long and similarly Tatas had been lending big support in Mumbai.
Speed said such problems had been overcome during past events.