The International Cricket Council in a dilemma
John Howard’s nomination as the president-designate of the International Cricket Council is facing an unprecedented political rift. This is the first time that voting members of the council have opposed the regional nomination for the ICC's vice-presidency.
The International Cricket Council follows a region-based recommendation system for the presidency of the ICC. This time, it was Australia and New Zealand’s turn to put forth a nominee for the next vice-president. In the month of March, both the Kangaroos and the Kiwis jointly nominated John Howard who is a former Australian Prime minister.
South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe have already expressed their strong reservations against Howard’s nomination. They are firmly opposing his nomination at the ICC’s board meeting next month.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet decided whether or not to back John Howard's candidature. PCB will be seeking an opinion from the Pakistan government before making any decision. A senior official said that it is a serious and sensitive issue.
Ijaz Butt, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board stated that personally, he has maintained cordial relations with Howard and he is aware of his love for the game of cricket. But he has refused to disclose the voting plans of the PCB. Talking to a media reporter, Butt claimed, "the issue is a very sensitive one and it has to be handled delicately."
However, the PCB has recommended the matter to the government for its worthy opinion on the matter. The board has also contacted the Asif Zardari’s office, as the President of Pakistan is also the patron of the board. Once the PCB receives the much needed government’s advice on the matter, it will go ahead with the plan.
Senior board officials are hesitant to talk about the matter, privately or publicly, but they have stressed again and again that the issue is serious enough and deserves the governments’ approval.
"Things on this issue are not as simple as they look," one PCB official told the media in Lahore. "What appears on the surface is not what you will see below. That is all I can say currently on the matter."
Another PCB official, on the condition of anonymity termed Howards’ nomination a very big issue which the board could not decide on its own. He said, “It is a complex matter and involves various aspects so the board has to seek a direction."
The point to ponder over is that why the matter is being referred to the government? Australia and Pakistan have traditionally had pretty straight forward political relations. Both the countries have a wonderful working relationship at the state level too. In 2005, when Pakistan was struck by the catastrophic earthquake, Howard visited Pakistan to help the people in need. He went to the earthquake affected northern areas to see how the Australian aid workers were assisting the local authorities.
Meanwhile, another board member has claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board will consult other member nations before making any decision.
Howard’s nomination to the ICC Vice-Presidency was not discussed during ICC's meeting in May as travel plans of several delegates were disturbed by the volcanic explosion in Iceland. But resistance to the appointment was brought up outside the meeting by South Africa, followed by Zimbabwe.
A senior official of the Bangladesh cricket board told the media that the issue of Howard's nomination for vice-presidency has not as yet been raised at boardroom level. But he added that looking at the increasing opposition to Howard’s candidature; it is more than likely that the matter will be tackled after consulting with other member countries.
Cricket Australia is hopeful that the former prime minister will overcome Africa’s opposition after departing ICC President David Morgan met his Indian successor, Pawar, at a meeting in London.
Pawar is eager to shun any potential clash and support John Howard towards the throne of the International Cricket Council.
"I am sure we can reach a decision which will be unanimously supported by the ICC board," Pawar said in a joint statement with outgoing president David Morgan.
If Howard receives 10 votes, he is expected to take on the role later this year, before climbing to the most influential position in international cricket, the ICC Presidency in 2012.
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