Kamal ascends to ICC presidency
Former president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) AHM Mostafa Kamal yesterday became the first Bangladeshi to take over the reigns of the ICC's presidential role. Kamal, who was vice-president from 2012 to 2014, succeeded Alan Isaac and by doing so became the 11th president of the International Cricket Council. The announcement was made during the ICC's Annual Conference in Melbourne yesterday.
An ICC press release quoting Kamal, also the planning minister of the government of Bangladesh, stated: “This is a memorable and historic day for Bangladesh cricket. On this day 14 years ago, Bangladesh became the 10th Test playing country. Today, a Bangladeshi becomes the 11th President of the International Cricket Council. Thank you for bestowing this honour on Bangladesh and me.
“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.”
The wide-scale changes in the ICC's constitution however, have made the position of the president largely a ceremonial one. As per the recent changes, a majority of the important functions of the ICC will be handled by representatives of India, Australia and England, popularly known as the 'big three' of the ICC.
The approval of the constitutional changes, which stemmed from an ICC Board resolution taken in Singapore on February 8 and finalised on April 10, also meant that a new Executive Committee -- which will report to the ICC Board -- was formed.
The initial chair of the Executive Committee will be Cricket Australia's chairman Wally Edwards, while the chair of ICC's Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) will continue to be England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke.
From 2016, the ICC Board, which will continue to be the primary decision-making body, will elect the ICC Chairman for a two-year term.
Current BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon conveyed his congratulations to his predecessor. “Today is a momentous occasion because for the first time we have a Bangladeshi as ICC President. This is an honour for the nation. On behalf of the BCB I extend our very best wishes to Mr Kamal.
“He is a man of cricket and his affection for the game is undying. I am sure the ICC, Bangladesh and the global cricket fraternity would benefit from Mr Kamal's enterprise and dedication,” said Papon.
Comments