Big possibility of Indian cricket board garnering enough support to thwart Shashank Manohar-backed reforms may have influenced ICC chief's decision to quit
Shashank Manohar's term as ICC chairman lasted just eight months
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Colombo: The Indian cricket board has garnered enough support to oppose the new financial structure at the International Cricket Council (ICC), it is learnt. According to sources, this is one of the key reasons why Shashank Manohar quit as ICC chief yesterday, although he cited personal reasons in a statement.
Also read: Shashank Manohar steps down as ICC chief
Manohar, the former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief, was determined to see constitutional and financial reforms come to fruition in the ruling body of world cricket, but there was a big possibility of the BCCI garnering support from other boards to thwart those reforms. This, say insiders, led to Manohar's decision to quit.
'Did my best'
"I was elected unopposed as the first independent Chairman of ICC last year. I have tried to do my best and have tried to be fair and impartial in deciding matters in the functioning of the Board and in matters related to Member Boards along with the able support of all Directors," Manohar stated in his resignation letter. He added: "However, for personal reasons it is not possible for me to hold the august office of ICC Chairman and hence I am tendering my resignation as Chairman with immediate effect."
Thilanga Sumathipala
In the last ICC meeting, only Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) voted in favour of BCCI while Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) abstained from voting. But the situation has changed now. Not only will Zimbabwe support India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will also come forward to join hands with SLC in opposing the financial model and governance structure. Tauengwa Mukhulani, the chairman of the Zimbabwean board is in Sri Lanka to confirm his support to India.
Interestingly, BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon is a member of the ICC's Working Group which would form the new structure. However, according to the BCB sources here, certain modifications were made to the draft without his knowledge and that weakened his support for Manohar.
"Had Manohar not resigned, the Motion of No Confidence would have been on the cards," a source said. The question now is who will be the next ICC chairman? There's a good chance that Thilanga Sumathipala will become interim chairman.
Thilanga is ready
"We, the board members met here to strengthen the ICC. If all board members agree to my appointment as the ICC chairman, I am prepared to accept the challenge. For the sake of stability and if the board members show confidence in me, I will response positively," said Sumathipala.
The ICC will appoint an interim chief soon and elect the chairman in June through elections. Asked about having to resign as SLC president to become the ICC boss, he said, "I have no issues with that."
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