Kolkata: Now this sounds really interesting. Shashank Manohar who on March 15 had decided to step down as the ICC chairman has decided to continue in the post. The ICC passed a resolution requesting him to rethink. According to an ICC release, the board asked him to withdraw his resignation or at the very least defer it until the ongoing process relating to governance and financial restructuring are completed.
Said Manohar, “I respect the sentiments expressed by the directors and the confidence they have reposed in me. In the light of this, and although my decision to depart due to personal reasons has not changed, I am willing to continue as chairman till the responsibility as per the resolution is complete. I have duty to work with my colleagues to enable a smooth transition and continue our work on the governance of the ICC.”
The Nagpur lawyer also a two-time BCCI president became the first Independent Chairman of the ICC in May, 2016. After his resignation a few days back there were speculations that he may have been forced to quit by the Big Three (India, Australia and England). Manohar however had refuted such claims and maintained he stepped down for personal reasons. Manohar has been instrumental in challenging the monopoly of the three countries in ICC which earned him their wrath. The making of the constitution ending the hegemony of the Big Three in financial and administrative matters didn’t go down well with the three boards.
Vikram Limaye, a member of the BCCI’s Committee of Administrators (COA), said, “It is important that the current issues are resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. We had a productive meeting with Manohar recently (prior to his resignation) wherein we outlined the concerns of BCCI on the financial model and governance issues and our suggestions for resolution. We are committed to working with ICC for a satisfactory resolution of these issues.”
Nazmul Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board felt that in the greater interest of cricket, Manohar was needed at this “crucial juncture.” The chairman of Cricket Australia David Peever said, “This resolution is a clear indication that whilst the Board may not yet agree on the detail of our reform process, we are committed to the overarching philosophies of it. We all believe that Shashank should be the man to see it through and whilst respectful of a decision made for personal reasons, we are delighted that he has agreed to remain in post until the completion of the 2017 Annual Conference where we can elect a successor.”
