Wasim Akram urges unity ahead of ICC meeting

Says national boards should not be victimised regarding ‘Big Three’ draft.

KARACHI:

Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram on Friday warned cricket administrators that the game could not afford a damaging split, as they prepare to debate controversial plans to reform the governing body.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will meet in Singapore on Saturday to discuss and possibly vote on a plan to give the sport’s most financially powerful nations – India, England and Australia, part of the ‘Big Three’ proposal – a greater say in running the world game.

South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have strongly opposed the idea and Akram urged the administrators to work for the unity of the game.



“Our cricket world is very small and we cannot afford divisions,” he said.

“I have read the draft and if there are any reservations from a few countries, I would like that to be removed and no country should be left isolated.”

Akram said national boards should not be victimised for standing up for their rights at the ICC.

“What I am hearing is that Pakistan and South Africa will be targeted if they don’t sign.

“No one wants such a thing to happen because both these countries are important to world cricket.”

Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan has described the proposals as a return to the days of colonialism and the Pakistan Cricket Board has slammed them as unjust.

India should act as big brother: Akram

Akram urged the Indian board, which produces 80% of world cricket’s wealth, to act as the responsible older brother.

“India is the bigger board in terms of generating the revenues and everybody will listen to India if they act like a big brother and I am sure senses will prevail in the Singapore meeting,” he said.

He also added that Pakistan must raise their game on the field to be taken seriously off it.

“It’s very important because if Pakistan is amongst the top teams, every other country will like to play them and in turns Pakistan’s voice will be heard at all forums.”

Woolf slams ‘money-motivated’ power grab

Plans to give India, England and Australia greater power in running the ICC have been blasted as ‘entirely motivated by money’ by the judge asked to review its governance.

Lord Harry Woolf, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, said: “This is a really alarming position for the future of cricket.

“I don’t see how, if we had this to consider, we could see it as anything but a retrograde step.

“It is giving extraordinary powers to a small triumvirate of three people, and everybody else has got no power to say anything or do anything. It seems to be entirely motivated by money.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2014.

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