Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt has blasted the International Cricket Council president for reportedly planning to scrap the rotational policy for the ICC’s Presidency. Reports are rife that the ICC is planning to cease the rotation policy once the term of Pawar’s successor Alan Issac (New Zealand) is over in 2015. The ICC is likely to deliberate on the proposal in its annual general meeting on June 28 in Hong Kong. Bangladesh and Pakistan would be adversely affected if the current rotational policy is shelved as the two countries are to present their nominees for the post of ICC president and vice-president. PCB COO said that they have asked the ICC to clear the air and has also approached other boards for their support. The PCB will oppose any move to scrap the rotation policy for appointing the President of the ICC. The PCB’s COO Subhan Ahmed said the PCB has “already expressed its reservations” to the ICC over the issue which will come up for discussion during the ICC annual conference in Hong Kong later this month.
Under the present rotation policy, it is the turn of Pakistan and Bangladesh to appoint the President and Vice President once the term of Indian Sharad Pawar’s successor Alan Isaac from New Zealand ends in 2015.Subhan says the PCB will decide its future course of action on the issue once it gets a response from the ICC. He said: “We are in contact with the ICC.” Former ICC President Ehsan Mani indirectly suggested that the change in rotational policy could be initiated by India so that the way will be cleared for someone from the country to secure the top post. “I don’t know why the ICC wants to change it (the rotational policy). If it is going to be changed I want to ask who are the people behind this,” said the former ICC official. “Sharad Pawar’s term is ending next year. The question which can be asked is that if there is anything India want to jump the queue and an Indian getting the ICC president’s post,” he added.
Out of the 10 Test-playing nations, nine have reportedly signed on the ICC’s proposal to change the rotational policy and Mani termed it unusual. “I can’t comment who signed for the proposal or not but it is very unusual. Normally, a proposal is forwarded to the president through the chief executive and then it is voted by the member countries. But here it seems the proposal has already been signed before the ICC Board meeting,” said Mani who was ICC chief from 2003 to 2006.Mani admitted that Pakistan has no chance of its turning the tables if nine member countries have agreed to change the rotational system as has been reported. “You need vote by seven members to pass a resolution. So if nine members have already agreed to the proposal then it will be difficult for Pakistan,” he was quoted by Times Now.