Mani questions Isaac’s role as ‘Big Three’ decision deferred

Re-structuring proposal’s fate expected to be decided in next ICC meeting.

KARACHI:

Cricket bodies challenging the position paper submitted by India, Australia and England for the restructuring of the International Cricket Council (ICC) have a few days to decide on the proposed changes.

The two-day ICC board meeting concluded on Wednesday in Dubai, with the president of the body Alan Isaac stating that no decision had been made over the draft by ‘Big Three’ — the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA).



The Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket South Africa, Sri Lanka Cricket and the Bangladesh Cricket Board sought more time to take input from their respective stakeholders, and now it seems that their demand was met. Another meeting is expected to take place next month in Singapore.

Isaac’s position compromised: Mani

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has expressed concerns over the ICC president’s role in the prevailing controversy.

Previously, it was believed that the ‘Big Three’ secretly prepared the draft proposal until Isaac’s statement revealed that it was he who had encouraged these three boards “to enter into a constructive dialogue together to help resolve some of the key commercial and governance issues facing the game”.

“Why did he ask just three boards?” Mani questioned while speaking to The Express Tribune.

“The clarification comment has in fact compromised the position of the ICC president. He should have informed all board members since he represents every one of them. Why didn’t he inform the rest of the members if he was indeed aware of the situation?”

Mani said he was sure that at least two cricket boards had no clue about the proposal before January 9 when it was floated for the first time during an ICC meeting.

The former president of the body was not convinced with the amended draft that saw one more member added in the anticipated ICC’s executive committee.

“The power would still remain with these three boards even if there were to be five members in the committee,” said Mani. “There is a requirement of seven members in the body. The ones outside the five should be independent, while there must be an executive director who should have no connection to any cricket body.”

West Indies claim 100% growth if plan approved

The West Indian Cricket Board (WICB) has backed the position paper in a press release.

“After extensive discussions and careful consideration, the West Indies Cricket Board joined with all other Full Members of the ICC in providing support for key principles relating to the future structure, governance and financial models of the ICC,” said the release.

It also stated: “Based on the new proposed system WICB projects to receive at least 100% increase on the previous eight year cycle (2006-2014).”

The Chief of New Zealand Board Martin Snedden added that his Board was set to receive revenues of US$70-100 million from the ICC between 2015 and 2023 under the planned reforms.

ICC notes ‘positive’ progress on Bangladesh security

On the other hand, the ICC also issued a media statement expressing satisfaction over arrangements for the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.

“The board received an update on the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh that included a report from a recent security meeting in Dhaka and noted the positive progress that had been made,” said the media release.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2014.

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