Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC)

he Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has written to the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking to overturn the governing body’s decision to stage Bangladesh men’s team’s T20 World Cup matches in India. However, the appeal will not be heard, as the matter falls outside the jurisdiction of the DRC.

Why the Appeal is sustainable?

A review of the ICC Constitution and the Terms of Reference of the Dispute Resolution Committee makes it clear that the DRC cannot hear appeals against decisions of the ICC Board of Directors.

As per Clause 1.3 of the DRC’s Terms of Reference:

“The Committee shall not operate as an appeal body against decisions of the ICC or any decision-making body established under the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association or under any rules or regulations of the ICC.”

This provision effectively bars the DRC from reconsidering or overturning venue-related decisions taken by the ICC Board.

Role of the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee

The ICC’s DRC functions under British law and is primarily tasked with:

• Examining whether the ICC Board has followed due process, and
• Assessing compliance with ICC rules and regulations.

It does not serve as an appellate authority to review or reverse policy or administrative decisions of the ICC.

Past Precedent: PCB vs BCCI Case

One of the most notable DRC rulings came in 2018, under arbitrator Lord Woolf (Beloff), when the committee summarily rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) $70 million compensation claim against the BCCI.

In that case, the DRC held that the so-called “Memorandum of Understanding” between the two boards for bilateral series was merely a “letter of intent” and not legally binding, thereby absolving the BCCI of liability.