The ICC Conundrum

Najam Sethi will have to ensure Pakistan gets a say in important matters and doesn’t get bullied by the ‘Big...

With the blessings of all 52 members, the deed is signed and Narayanaswami  Srinivasan, the controversial president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is now firmly saddled as chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Less than a week after Srinivasan’s installation, the English Cricket Board (ECB) handed out a life ban to a former New Zealand player who made a sensational statement — confessing involvement in match and spot fixing.

“I am Lou Vincent and I am a cheat” is how the 35 year old started his confession.

While the likes of Vincent, Arif and before them the Pakistan trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif faced immediate suspension and later a ban, the all-conquering King of the ICC Srinivasan has barged in and taken control of the prestigious office, overpowering all who wanted to oppose him.

The BCCI also has shown scant respect for a ruling given by their apex court and despite vehement opposition, buckled under the power of Srinivasan. His cohorts old played their cards smartly and dispelled the impression that the suspension from presiding over the BCCI automatically ruled Srinivasan out of contention from the ICC post.

The ICC has clearly set a precedent — the powerful officials enjoy immunity — but players are to be taken to task for their misdemeanours and strictly punished.

Perhaps in future, players who besmirch the good name of the game because of their greed and lust for money might never come clean the way Vincent did, since they know that the battered reputation of the game is hardly a concern for the now ‘reformed’ ICC.

The ICC has at present turned a blind eye to the ongoing investigation against Srinivasan, but the situation can become extremely awkward if the Mudgal commission — investigating corruption against 13 official and players, including Srinivasan, in the Indian Premier League 2013, finds him guilty.

For the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Melbourne conference has brought some glad tidings amid promises of a financial bonanza if the bilateral tours with India materialise — a reward for endorsing the appointment of the new chairman.

The first of the six proposed series is 18 months away and the BCCI, despite tabling the tours in their next Future Tours Program (FTP), have reiterated their old stance of the tours taking place only if the Indian government gives a green signal.

Besides the ‘hope’ emanating from BCCI, the PCB has won the right to choose the next president of the ICC, but with a chairman in place, the president’s slot is likely to become more of a token designation with hardly any administrative powers.

The highlight for the PCB is getting a berth in the first Executive Committee that will stay in power for two years. Najam Sethi, the incumbent chairman, will have to play his cards smartly and ensure that Pakistan has a say in important matters and doesn’t get bullied by the ‘Big Three’ — also known as the ‘Corrupt Three’.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2014.

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