DHAKA: New Chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) Shashank Manohar has announced to revise the Constitution of the Cricket’s apex body once again repealing the provision of three cricket boards of India, England and Australia exclusively dominating world cricket.

The new amendment is set to be discussed and approved in the ICC meeting in June 2016. Nominated member of any member country will have the right to contest for ICC top position under the planned new amendment. All member countries would enjoy equal rights and privileges.

BCCI, ECB and CA assumed exclusive power and authority over world cricket from controversial amendment of ICC constitution in 2014. The amendment allowed cricket boards of three countries India, Australia and India to exclusively dominate world cricket in matters of commercial and administrative activities. 

Two tiers were created even among the test playing countries separating the top eight from the bottom two. The position of ICC president was kept reserved from among the three cricket boards. The three top teams would have prevailed over the rest in future tour plan (FTP).

The unpopular proposal launched by the big three initially was strongly opposed by remaining seven full members. It created uncomfortable situation for Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, West Indies and New Zealand. BBCI brokered proposal would not have got approval if the remaining seven boards could remain united and firm.

Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lankan boards were opposing the move. West Indies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh boards were expected to stay vocal in ICC meetings. But BCCI, the cash cow of world cricket, started evil influencing.

The proposal was discussed in individual boards. Initially only New Zealand Board a bit reluctantly went with three. The proposal required to get votes of majority member countries. One after another boards started jumping across with one of the most affected member BCB and later South Africa falling to nefarious design of the three musketeers.

BCB voted for the motion despite strong opposition of the most committed member of the executive committee. The floor crossing of BCB made uncomfortable situation for the opposing camp. The motion was passed. The Asian Cricket Conference was squeezed.

The controversial Indian ICC Chairman Srinivasan, for his own ulterior motive, badly hurt the interest of Asian cricket. His expulsion from ICC initiated reverse. New ICC Chairman has come to the realization that the exclusive domination of three top teams must go for the development of cricket in ICC member countries primarily and world wide eventually.

The realization by the chief of the most powerful cricket board amply demonstrates that the original decision was lopsided and taken with dishonest and unfair intention.

Officials of cricket boards like BCB must also atone for their mistakes in listening to good advice of minority plain thinking executives.

BDST: 1841 HRS, FEB 05, 2016
SR