Decision to resign as chairman had nothing to do with ICC functioning, says Shashank Manohar

Shashank Manohar on Wednesday clarified that his decision to step down had nothing to do with the functioning of the International Cricket Council. He also revealed that he had informed the BCCI’s Committee of Administrators of his decision when he met them in Mumbai a day before he resigned, ESPNCricinfo reported.

“It has nothing to do with the ICC functioning or these issues which are going to come up,” he was quoted as saying. “Personal reason means genuinely personal. And I don’t lie,” he added but did not reveal any more details.

Manohar said he told the COA members that he had made up his mind before he met them. “I told them before the meeting started that I had discussed my resignation with my wife yesterday only, and I am likely to resign. I have a message from the COA today that yesterday you told us that you were going to resign, but we were surprised. We never thought you were so serious.”

‘Man of few words but excellent deeds’

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, in a statement on Wednesday had said that it was ‘surprised’ by Shashank Manohar’s decision to step down as International Cricket Council’s chief, reported PTI.

“Mr Manohar’s contribution to Indian cricket is invaluable. He is a man of few words but excellent deeds. The BCCI Committee of Administrators was looking forward to a long-term cooperation between the ICC and BCCI with Mr. Manohar at the helm of affairs. The BCCI wishes him the very best for his future endeavours,” it further stated.

Opposition to reforms

It is still widely believed that opposition to his proposed constitutional reforms, including the two-tier Test championship played a major hand in him taking the decision. The controversial revenue sharing model is also speculated as a major factor.

The report added that a senior BCCI functionary met officials from Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, where the issues were discussed. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has since come forward and aired its objection to two proposals in the new ICC constitution, ESPNCricinfo reported.

The proposal had been agreed upon in principle by a 7-2 majority vote of Full Members during the ICC meetings in February. Bangladesh had then voted in favour of the changes, but its fresh objections are being cited as one of the reasons for Manohar’s decision to step down.

Zimbabwe too is said to have raised concerns over the proposed changes taking the number of Boards in opposition to the restructuring to four votes from among 10 Test playing nations, considered enough to scuttle the reforms.