Justice Lodha, Kirti Azad slam BCCI, say no question of India-New Zealand series being called-off

Anurag Thakur has casted doubt on continuing the on-going India-New Zealand series, stating their bank accounts have been frozen.

New Delhi: India's celebrations of reclaiming the No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings from Pakistan were cut short after BCCI chief Anurag Thakur had hinted at cancellation of the ongoing India-New Zealand series – 3 Tests and 5 ODIs – as Supreme Court backed Lodha Panel had directed banks to freeze BCCI accounts.

The Indian cricket board's President Anurag Thakur said that he won't be able to continue the ongoing series as he no longer has access to funds to pay.

RM Lodha, however, assured that there the India-New Zealand series won't be affected by the current scenario. (READ: Annoyed BCCI to cancel India-New Zealand series following Lodha's call to freeze bank accounts)

There is no question of any cancellations of game or series: Justice RM Lodha (Chief, Lodha Panel) on India-New Zealand series under cloud pic.twitter.com/QOlxop5cCw — ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016

He also clarified that the panel has directed against disbursement of large funds to state associations and not for routine expenses for matches,cricket activities&administrative matters.

Lodha also revealed that the accounts have not been frozen, BCCI's interpretation is wrong. Only large disbursement for state associations (decision taken by BCCI on 30th Sep) that has been put on hold, nothing beyond that. He also confirmed that if the Champions Trophy calendar was already settled a year back, the panel's recommendations won't affect that either.

Accounts of BCCI have not been frozen. This isn't correct reading of our email, rather this is misinterpreting it: Justice RM Lodha pic.twitter.com/h6taCwHoeA — ANI (@ANI_news) October 4, 2016

Former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad also attacked BCCI for their stand as day-to-day expenses are not at all affected and also warned against discontinuing the series as the board might lose their membership from ICC.

' #CricketLovers #SeriesWithNewZealand will be played, #DayToDayExpenditureAllowed. If not @BCCI loses #ICCMembership @BishanBedi @ANI_news https://t.co/zg1iKXQTDz — Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzadMP) October 4, 2016

Lodha Panel's letter to the banks read, “it has come to the notice of this Committee that certain decisions have been taken at the ‘Emergent Working Committee’ meeting of the BCCI on 30th September 2016 to disburse large funds to the various member associations.”