Asian solidarity set to collapse as Pakistan, Sri Lanka oppose India's proposal to overhaul ICC governance, revenue share model
The Indian cricket Board (BCCI), backed by England and Australia, is trying to push for a lion's share of revenue from International Cricket Council's earnings, among other things.
An Asian solidarity that helped the sub-continent win many a boardroom cricket battle in the past is on the verge of collapse. The cricket Boards of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are against passing of a draft proposal aimed at restructuring the International Cricket Council's administration and financial distribution model. The controversial 'Position Paper', mooted jointly by India (BCCI), England (ECB) and Australia (CA), is pushing for a greater revenue share of ICC's earnings for the Big Three and almost unilateral control over who plays who in world cricket. The South African Board (CSA) has called already called the proposal "fundamentally flawed". The world No. 1 Test side is slowly finding more critical support as ICC's executive Board meets in Dubai over Tuesday and Wednesday. (Tuesday's update: Lack of consensus delays ICC revamp)
According to well-placed sources, Pakistan (PCB), Sri Lanka (SLC) and Bangladesh (BCB) are opposing big brother BCCI in accepting a proposal that will enable India to enjoy enormous power in running world cricket and sharing the spoils from it. Boards clearly want more time to understand the ramifications of the 'Position Paper' that apparently looks top-heavy and lopsided. A final word is expected on Wednesday evening.
PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has reportedly told a Pakistani TV channel that four Boards were "united" in their stand against the 'Position Paper.' Ashraf said he would vote for "whatever is in Pakistan's interests". "We have to see what is in our interests when we vote," Ashraf told TV channel ARY TV, adding: "Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka, we all have one stance. Let us see what we vote inside. We will stick to our stance." (PCB should accept working proposal of 'Big Three', says Rameez Raja)
Given the importance of this proposal, it will need a special resolution to accept the far-reaching changes in the way cricket will be played and revenue shared. ICC will require a meeting to pass the resolution and according to its constitution eight out of the 10 full members will need to back the proposal.
Article 6.12 a)3)b) in the constitution, which deals with voting on a special resolution, reads: "Resolution proposed at Conference or at a Special Meeting shall be deemed to have been carried as a Special Resolution only if not less than three-quarters of the aggregate number of votes exercisable by all the Full Members shall have been cast in favour of the Resolution, irrespective of whether or not all of the Full Members shall have actually been present in person or by proxy." BCCI, which apparently brings in more than 70 per cent of ICC's revenue, is against a vote and wants all full members to accept unanimously. (Related: FICA chief Paul Marsh slams ICC reforms)
Dissenting Boards have sought more time to understand the proposals. The Sri Lankan Board (SLC) and South Africa have already publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with the contents of the 'Position Paper'.
It has been learnt that BCCI also wants an ICC event every two years in India and also wants to overrule the ICC's FTP (Future Tours & Programme) by engaging into direct discussions with respective cricket boards for bilateral series.
Also there would be discussions on creating a post of ICC chairman, which would rotate between the BCCI, CA and ECB with N Srinivasan being the hot favourite to become the first chairman. It would also effectively turn the ICC president into a virtual 'rubber-stamp'. According to BCCI sources, Srinivasan has already promised the members of his affiliated units, a bigger grant if BCCI happens to get the lion's share.