ICC awards Test status to Ireland & Afghanistan

London: Ireland and Afghanistan were awarded Test match status on Thursday, taking the number of countries playing at the pinnacle of cricket from 10 to 12 in a decision described as “fantastic” and “remarkable”. Both countries were confirmed as full members after a unanimous vote at an International Cricket Council meeting during its annual conference in London. Bangladesh was the last country to be granted Test status in 2000.

New Delhi: The BCCI will be getting $405 million as per the International Cricket Council’s revenue sharing model, which was agreed during the apex body’s annual conference in London. Originally, the ICC had agreed to give $293 million but, after hectic negotiations, its chairman Shashank Manohar agreed to increase it by $100 million. Finally, it was decided that $112 million more will be given to BCCI from the previously agreed amount. India is getting $266 million more than England, which will take home $139 million. Australia, Pakistan, the West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are getting $128 million each. Zimbabwe will get $94 million. The revenue sharing model has been a bone of contention for BCCI as the world’s most influential cricket board had demanded $570 million, which was unacceptable to Manohar, himself a two-time former Board president. A Indian Cricket Board official told PTI that “the BCCI has agreed to the terms and conditions”. The BCCI, in fact, lost 1-13 when it was brought to vote at an earlier meeting.