The lobbying for ICC president post takes new twist
The ongoing saga of the top ICC job took a new twist when Pakistan said it has endorsed the nomination of Bangladesh Cricket Board president AHM Mustafa Kamal for the post.
The endorsement came before Bangladesh formally made their choice, leading to a big confusion as a number of candidates including Kamal and former BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury are vying for the coveted post.
According to an ICC rotation policy, it is now the turn for Bangladesh and Pakistan to jointly nominate a vice-president, who will later succeed New Zealander Alan Isaac as ICC president in 2014.
Pakistan Cricket Board president Zaka Ashraf, who is currently on a four-day visit to Bangladesh, told reporters at a press conference that they had endorsed Kamal’s nomination as early as in October last.
His views were also reflected in a joint statement later issued by the BCB and PCB.
‘We today reaffirmed our support for nomination of Mr Mustafa Kamal for ICC’s presidency,’ said the statement quoting Ashraf as saying.
Kamal said he is privileged to receive the PCB support and added that Bangladesh is indebted to Pakistan for their support.
‘It is a matter of pride and privilege to receive PCB’s support on my nomination. I will try to live up to the expectations of not only the people of Bangladesh but of Pakistan as well and also the entire cricketing fraternity,’ said Kamal.
‘The support that the PCB has given me demonstrates the close relation our two Boards enjoy and it is not the first time that Pakistan Board has come forward to support us. ‘
‘Who could forget that it was Pakistan that proposed Bangladesh’s entry into Test Cricket? We are indebted to them,’ added Kamal.
When contacted, BCB spokesman Jalal Younus said the nomination of Kamal is still at a premature stage and PCB’s endorsement has no relation with his board.
‘As far as we are concerned the BCB has not nominated anyone yet. However, our president is grateful for PCB support and he will now seek an endorsement from the BCB,’ said Younus.
-With New Age input
