Khan K: ICC Meeting, 1993. A Diatribe at the BCCP (22Aug1993)

The most significant development at the annual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month was the appointment of Clyde Walcott as chairman of the game's ruling body. Walcott, 67, the current president of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) will become the first nonwhite to head the highest office in cricket when he takes over from the incumbent: Sir Colin Cowdrey, this October. Walcott, one of the three famous Ws who played with great distinction for the West Indies between 1947 and 1963, is a very respected administrator in the cricketing fraternity as he has been heading the WICBC for some years now. Historically though, England and Australia, the oldest members of the ICC, no longer have the power of veto from now onwards. This clearly indicates the shift in power since these countries are no longer the giants in the modern era. In the future, decisions on all important issues will be decided by a three fourths majority rather than the two thirds was hitherto needed. The ICC from now on is a self-funding autonomous body as it formally severs all ties with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Australia's David Richards is the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ICC who will supervize the dayto-day working from its headquarters at Lord's. Already, Walcott has made his first aggressive move by forming a committee comprising mainly of former test cricketers who would put forward views and recommendations on purely cricketing matters. The ICC chairman himself would chair the committee that also includes Sir Colin Cowdrey and the CEO. The committee's seven members are to be one each representing England, the West Indies, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe and the ICC associates and two from the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). According to Walcott, most of the committee would comprise former players because he feels that people associated with the game can work closely with Test umpires to bet a better interpretation of the laws. One of the thorny issues at the recent meeting was the bouncer regulation. The ICC has deferred the matter until next year, therefore, the present law of one bouncer per over per batsman stands, much to the disgust of Pakistan and West Indies. The retiring chairman Sir Colin Cowdrey disclosed that lengthy discussions too place on the fast short-pitched bowling. Pakistan had proposed two bouncers per over which found support from West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and Australia. But England, India and Sri Lanka opposed the move and reportedly favored the current experimental law. Surprisingly, South Africa abstained from voting. Alternatively, Pakistan wanted the one bouncer ruling enforced for tailenders only. Among the other issues was the granting of associate membership to Northern Ireland but Scotland, Nepal, and Thailand all had their applications deferred for one year pending further examination. The ICC also accepted UAE's (United Arab Emirates) application to take part in the qualifying round of the World Cup. Kenya is hosting the ICC Trophy next February/March. Three teams will qualify for the World Cup scheduled for the Indian subcontinent in 1995-6. The draw was also decided for the 6th World Cup. The holders Pakistan, have been placed in Group A along with the beaten finalists of the last World Cup, England. New Zealand, South Africa, Associate winners and Associate third make up the six-team division. Group B comprises three former World Cup champions in the West Indies, India and Australia. Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Associate second finish off the group. Meanwhile, it seems that the Board of Cricket and Control Pakistan (BCCP), is once again pulling off con tricks. A leading daily of Karachi reportedly stated that BCCP's secretary denied several charges about the embarrasment faced by the Board's representatives at the ICC meeting in July. The paper claims that Pakistan did not cast her vote in favor of Walcott since India had advised their neighbors to support the candidature of Raman Subha Row for the ICC chairman's post. Usually the voting takes place via mail and the BCCP had sent its casting vote (in favor of Subha Row) some four weeks before the delegates had assembled in London. It was allegedly found upon arrival in London that Subha Row had already withdrawn his name in favor of Walcott three weeks ago, saying: "I was never a contender for the chairman's post once it became known that Walcott was also contesting. So I stood down." More shocks awaited the BCCP hierarchy when they were informed that only Pakistan had voted against Mr. Walcott. The BCCP president and the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Dr. Nasim Hasan Shah, were reportedly very upset over the whole episode. Shahid Rafi, the secretary of the BCCP, has categorily denied the story of that Karachi paper by making a counterstatement which said that Pakistan did support and vote for Walcott. Which party is telling the truth here? Judging by the past deeds of the BCCP officials, it is certain that the annual pilgrimage to Lord's is nothing more than a pleasure ride. Seldom do these officials do the necessary paperwork on the agenda to be discussed. The possibility of Pakistan voting against Mr. Walcott does make some sense. Why, after all, it was the same Mr. Walcott, in his capacity as WICBC's president, who supported England's bid to host the World Cup in 1995 on a matter of principle. Sweet revenge, perhaps for the BCCP's top brass! In the past too, the current BCCP officials were found wanting at the ICC meetings since they carried too few facts to satisfy and convince the other delegates in order to gain support for their 'proposals.' India also 'dodged' Pakistan at the ICC meeting in 1991 when it was expected that the subcontinent giants would vote against South Africa's readmission to the ICC folds. However, the BCCI overwhelmingly announced their support for South Africa when it mattered most. As a consequence, they were duly rewarded with a reciprocal series by the South Africans. One of the features of the ICC meeting is that high officials of the Test-playing nations chalk out international programs of matches. Future series are arranged well in advance with the consent and approval of the ICC hierarchy. It is Pakistan's great misfortune that Shahid Rafi and Co. are least bothered about extending invitations to the other Test playing countries. It is a remarkable fact that for the first time since 1975-76, we saw a barren season (1992- 93) with no test series played in Pakistan. Since 1991- 1992, Pakistan has featured in just 12 Tests. In sharp contrast, there were no less than 43 one day internationals in the same period. Look at Sri Lanka. They are making up for the five-year absence from international cricket on the island due to political unrest (1987-88 to 1991-1992). Between August 1992 and March 1993, Sri Lanka hosted a total of six tests (one cancelled because of a bomb blast) and eight one-dayers against Australia, England and New Zealand. From July 1993, through December 1993, seven to nine tests are scheduled in Sri Lanka against India, South Africa and West Indies. The BCCP ought to take a leaf from Sri Lanka's book. More emphasis should be given to Test cricket--the ultimate acid test. Even Pakistani players have complained of too many one-day matches. One shudders to think the number of onedayers that Pakistan is expected to play this season: Champions Trophy in Sharjah; Six nation series in India; Asia Cup in Pakistan; Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah. In addition, Pakistan is also scheduled for a Test tour of India (3 tests and 3 one-dayers) and a full trip to New Zealand next February (3 test and 5 one-dayers). If the Indian tour does not take place then Zimbabwe is slated to visit Pakistan for a Test series. It all depends on the word 'if.' Furthermore, the BCCP must keep their slate clean for the sake and reputation of Pakistan cricket. Nothing valid has yet been heard on the ball-doctoring issue or the marijuana episode. Simply uttering "nobody is above the law" is mere eyewash. It is high time that the institution earns the respect it deserves. The BCCP of late has become the laughing stock at the ICC meetings. The heart yearns for Arif Ali Khan Abbasi, former secretary and the current treasurer of the BCCP. He certainly did Pakistan proud at the international forum! Summarized from an article: "ICC Meeting: A Change of Stance" by Khalid H. Khan, a writer for the Pakistan magazine, "The Cricketer." Posted by shash on r.s.c.