Former Bangladesh Cricket Board president AHM Mustafa Kamal received huge applaud as he became the first Bangladeshi to assume the role of the International Cricket Council president at the annual conference in Melbourne on Thursday. Kamal, former vice-president of the ICC from 2012-14 and chairman of its audit committee, succeeded New Zealand’s Alan Isaac as the 11th president of the ruling body of world cricket, a post that will be largely ceremonial.
ICC appointed India’s N Srinivasan as its chairman to run the executive affairs after the full council meeting approves constitutional changes making the president’s post nothing more than ornamental.
However, Kamal remained optimistic about working with the ICC board for the development of cricket.
‘This is a memorable and historic day for Bangladesh cricket. On this day 14 years ago, Bangladesh became the 10th Test-playing nation. Today (Thursday), a Bangladeshi becomes the 11th President of the International Cricket Council. Thank you for bestowing this honour on Bangladesh and me,’ an ICC statement quoted Kamal as saying.
‘Over the next 12 months, I look forward to working with the ICC Board and ICC Management, and will be delighted to contribute in any way I can. In Mr Srinivasan and David Richardson, I have absolute trust and confidence that we have a combination that will not only strengthen our sport, but will also take this great organisation to a new level,’ he said.
Meanwhile, the BCB congratulated its former president Kamal for taking up this prestigious position. Bangladesh Tourism Board also congratulated the new ICC president.
-With New Age input