AGENCY
NEW DELHI: In a surprise development, Shashank Manohar today resigned as ICC chairman after merely eight months in office citing personal reasons.
The 59-year-old Manohar mailed his resignation letter to ICC CEO Dave Richardson without clarifying the exact reason for this sudden move to end what was to be a two-year-tenure. However, according to highly-placed sources Manohar has decided to quit as BCCI seems to have gained enough ground to block the constitutional and financial reforms that were set to be passed by the ICC at its next board meeting.
Any reform to be passed needs 2/3rd majority but BCCI, in all likelihood, has managed to get Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on its side.
It is learnt, expecting a loss of face, Manohar has resigned with immediate effect.
“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 has stated in his resignation letter.
“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. “I take this opportunity to thank all the Directors, the Management and staff of ICC for supporting me wholeheartedly. I wish ICC all the very best and hope it achieves greater heights,” he concluded.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday expressed its surprise at the sudden decision of Shashank Manohar to step down from the post of International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman,” BCCI issued a media statement.
” Manohar’s contribution to Indian cricket is invaluable. He is a man of few words but excellent deeds. The BCCI Committee of Administrators (COA) was looking forward to a long-term cooperation between the ICC and BCCI with Manohar at the helm of affairs. The BCCI wishes him the very best for his future endeavours,” it further stated.
There is a lot of speculation going around in the cricketing world. One of the main reasons for his resignation is believed to be the opposition that he will face with regards to proposed constitutional reforms including the two-tier World Test Championship and controversial revenue sharing model.
There has been a meeting in Colombo where a senior BCCI functionary met officials from Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. With 4 votes needed out of 10 Test playing nations to scuttle the reforms, India, game’s financial powerhouse are back in the business.