Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani is against the idea of someone from ‘big three’ nations becoming the next ICC chairperson. By ‘big three’, he means India, England and Australia. He said that it would be “healthier” for the game to select someone from other boards.
Mr Mani said that there was some kind of ‘politics introduced’ by BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB in the ICC.
ICC chairman’s post has been vacant since July after the departure of Indian Shashank Manohar. The ICC has yet not taken a decision on the process of choosing the new chairman. should be based on a two-thirds majority vote or a simple majority. Imran Khwaja is presently serving as the interim chairman.
Mr Mani served as the ICC chairman from 2003-06. He, however, quashed speculation that he is interested in the top job.
“It would be healthier to have someone (the chairperson) not from the ‘big three’,” he was quoted saying.
“I was never interested. A few of the directors asked me but I told them that I’m there to only serve Pakistan. I’ve done it all before.”
“There is a huge problem of conflict of interest on the board,” Mr. Mani said.
“I’ve never seen that before, not in 17 years. This sort of conflict of interest is not transparent. The ICC is crying out for more independent directors.”
“In 2019 (World Cup, hosts) England would have made what Pakistan, West Indies or South Africa do over an eight-year period. That’s what’s wrong with the system. There are some countries who won’t be able to survive if this funding model continues.”
HOPES FOR THE WORLD CUP
The PCB chief hoped Pakistan could host a World Cup in ICC’s next FTP cycle for 2023-31.
“We want to host a World Cup during this cycle,” Mr. Mani said. “There are three-four events (in which) we have expressed interest, including some to host jointly with the UAE.”