The ICC claimed to have reached a unanimous support on key issues on the governance of the game, the PCB, CSA and BCB negated the impression later. PHOTO: ICC WEBSITE
The International Cricket Council (ICC) deferred the implementation of the ‘Big Three’ proposal until next month but the Indian, English and Australian boards drew ‘unanimous support’ on a number of key principles on the opening day of its board members meeting in Dubai on Tuesday.
‘Big Three’- the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) set appear to be the beneficiaries in a number of agreed principles which the ICC shared on conclusion on the opening day of the two-day meeting.
It was an crucial day for the future of the game amid hue and cry over the proposal, read as an attempt to create a triumvirate in the global governing body.
Interestingly, the day began with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ahsraf saying that Cricket South Africa, Sri Lanka Cricket and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) were on the same line over the draft proposal. The boards reportedly requested the proposal to be deferred.
The Executive Board deliberated for six hours with reports of heated arguments between the members of ‘Big Three’ and opposing boards.
However, the opening day ended with ICC claiming ‘unanimous support for a set of principles relating to the future structure, governance and financial models of the ICC.
Formation of Executive Committee
The ICC signaled the formation of an Executive Committee and Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) comprising five members including the ‘Big Three’.
“The establishment of an Executive Committee (ExCo) and Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) to provide leadership at an operational level, with five members, including BCCI, CA and ECB representatives.
“Anybody from within the Board can be elected to Chair the Board and anybody from within ExCo and F&CA can be elected to Chair those Committees.
“With the ICC undergoing a transitional period that includes a new governance structure and media rights cycle, this leadership will be provided for two years from June 2014 by: a BCCI representative to Chair the ICC Board, a CA representative to Chair the ExCo and an ECB representative to Chair the F&CA.”
CT to be revived at cost of Test Championship
The ICC mentioned nine ‘principles’ which were said to be unanimously supported by the Board members.
“Recognition of the need for strong leadership of the ICC, involving leading Members, which will involve BCCI taking a central leadership responsibility,” read the ICC release.
The ICC also heralded the revival of the Champions Trophy that was abolished last year.
“There will be three major ICC events in each four-year cycle, including the ICC Champions Trophy which will replace the ICC World Test Championship.”
It added that except for the ‘Big Three’, “A Test Cricket Fund paid equally on an annual basis to all Full Members will be introduced to encourage and support the longer format.
‘FTP agreements legally binding’
On Future Tour Programme (FTP), it stated: “Mutually agreed bi-lateral FTP Agreements which will be legally binding and bankable and will run for the same period as the ICC commercial rights cycle (2015-2023).
The ICC added: “There will be an opportunity for all Members to play all formats of cricket on merit, with participation based on meritocracy; no immunity to any country, and no change to membership status.
PCB, CSA and BCB remain adamant
In an alarming turn of events the Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a press release following the ICC communiqué that no decision with regards to any proposed changes as per the Position Paper submitted by BCCI, CA and ECB was made in the board meeting.
The statement further read, “The PCB clearly stated at the meeting that the guiding principles were subject to PCB’s Governing Board’s approval. These matters will be placed before the Board of Governors and thereafter PCB will take its position at the next ICC Board meeting.”
A similar stance was adopted by Cricket South Africa and Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (10)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731570357-0/elon-musk-(1)1731570357-0-405x300.webp "article")
-(1)1717678110-0/Kendrick-(1)-(1)1717678110-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732440898-0/Express-Tribune-(2)1732440898-0-270x192.webp "zimbabwe outplay pakistan in rain hit first odi by 80 runs")
1732458410-0/Untitled-design-(65)1732458410-0-270x192.webp "seven year old shanaya vawda wins bronze at 30th palmolive sindh women s swimming championship 2024")
1732441504-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(6)1732441504-0-270x192.webp "pak vs zim why pakistan zimbabwe players are wearing orange caps")
@uzair secondly ... Look most indian politicians are arrogant have have their own agenda to loot and profit make . Don't blame indian for our useless politician we are ourselves tired of them. they have corrupted each fabric of our system including sports . Look wat they did with indian olypics committee, the condition is so bad that now indian sportsman may go under Olympian flag than represent india with indian flag. Majority Indians don't agree too with india ownin or Wateva u say for controlling any institutional body, that's purely if any, is intention of corrupt political leaders in bcci than india or Indians. We just don't care. What we support however when we see on news the arguments from bcci puts forth ,if we contribute 80percent and get only 4 percent of it how's that fair? It's our money after all.As public we find merit to it. Secondly we be given option who we play with and whom we ban playing with. That's indian stand. Rest Indians are not bothered who controls who heads or don't head.
@ uzair. To be honest ,no offence but indians don't want to play with Pakistan anymore... Not because we hate you.. U were our brothers and will be... But we have had enough with being stabbed behind our backs... Ur country says u ain't the perpetrator but victim of terrorism... Don't know about indian government, but Indians would have supported you had you punished those who where responsible for the carnage in 26/11. So many years have passed no action. From and indian perspective it's like Diwali u burst bombs and destroy people and damage political relations while want normal sports relations and business relations like nothin happened... to run side by side. Dude that just doesn't work. Once if bilateral agreements come in force I think the first thing that will run positively is help us ban playing with country that.perpetrate terror and take no action. Whenever we give hand for friendship kargil or 26/11 or indian diplomats get killed in Afghanistan. By u know who. If banning playing with ur country puts some sense in ur establishment what losses they will suffer so b it. If not... Then too fine because we at least don't feel betrayed by our own nation playing against country that even after givin proofs does nothing to jail terrorist who killed more than 200people lasting 3 days.
Pakistan does not even deserve they will get under new idea, say thanks bighearted Bcci
So these so called "Big 3" want more revenue (they should get more as they generate more) but why exactly they should be allowed to govern cricket. Taking share from revenue is another thing, running all cricket affairs because they generate more money is a laughable idea. Very soon India will want to play in finals of every ICC tournament as they generate more revenue so world will have to bow again? ICC should take some harsh measures and should force boards like PCB, SLC, CSA and WICB to generate some money for themselves but giving BCCI the deciding power in all cricketing matters is not acceptable.
The only thing pakistan will lose is free money which they presently get from india. No wonder they are opposing.
Cricket won't survive if the big three get their way. The nature of international sports is all about equality and fair play among nations. Then again the BCCI is more a business than a sports board.
These clowns have made cricket a mockery
So pakistan wins just like kishenganga dam project...lol...