BCB against Big 3 proposal | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/25/bcb-against-big-3-proposal
Bangladesh has taken a stance against the Big 3 - India, England and Australia - proposal on test cricket placed to the International Cricket Council. Bangladesh Cricket Board Media Committee Chairman Jalal Yunus said this on Saturday at Mirpurs Sher- e- Bangla Cricket Stadium in the capital. We have taken a strong stance against the Big 3 proposal, he told the media. The BCB earlier expressed strict reservations about some portions of the proposal, especially those with legal and constitutional implications and those that may be interpreted as being contrary to the rights of a full member. In the draft proposal, India, England and Australia said: The teams who are staying between the ranking of 9 and 10 will not be able to take part in the test cricket; they have to play at ICC Intercontinental Cup. In the test ranking, Zimbabwes position is 9 with 34 points while Bangladeshs position is 10 with 18 points. If the proposal were to be passed, Bangladesh would not play the test cricket.

BCB answers media speculation | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/24/bcb-answers-media-speculation
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) clarified their stance by way of a press release regarding news reports published in the media yesterday that most of the BCB directors voted in favour of the Big 3 proposal at a meeting which may impact the playing opportunities, finances and positions of full member countries including Bangladesh, saying that it the reports were based on speculation and not facts. The press release said: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has noticed reports circulating in the national and international media regarding the Boards position on the draft proposal put forward by a working group of the Finance & Commercial Affairs committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC). It has been widely suggested in sections of the media that the BCB Board of Directors in a meeting held on 23 January 2014, had adopted a resolution in favour of the proposal which seeks considerable structural changes to the ICC and which if approved, may impact the playing opportunities, finances and positions of full member countries including Bangladesh. The BCB wishes to state that such sentiment is purely speculative and is not consistent with the actual facts. The directors of the Board have been apprised of the contents of the proposal. After a careful review of the draft the Board has found positive elements in certain sections of it which could be beneficial to the future of Bangladesh cricket. On the other hand, the Board has also expressed strict reservations about some portions of the proposal, especially those with legal and constitutional implications and those which may be interpreted as contrary to the rights of a full member. In respect to the sensitivity and confidentiality of the matter, the BCB has not made any public disclosure of the outcomes from the discussion related to the draft proposal.

BCB to discuss Big 3 proposals | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/22/bcb-discuss-big-3-proposals
The ICC is considering a comprehensive structural overhaul of world cricket administration that will effectively cede most executive decision- making to the Big 3 - India, Australia and England and the matter will be on top of the agenda as the directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) meet at the Mirpur Sher- e- Bangla National Stadium today. BCB president Naz mul Hassan will discuss the proposal with his colleagues and may provide Bangladeshs stance on the issue before the ICC Executive Board gathers for its quarterly meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. According to the proposed draft which has been reported widely in the world media in the last couple of days, new executive committee (ExCo) will be set up permanent memberships for BCCI, CA, and ECB who will also have the power to override all other committees. Promotion and relegation in Test cricket will be determined, with the exceptions made in the cases of BCCI, CA, ECB. ICC will not have the power to have FTP arrangements, with bilateral agreements only taking over. A new finance model of ICC revenue distribution is also on the cards. There is also a suggested two- tier Test cricket system in which England, Australia and India are guaranteed to avoid relegation from the top tier because of their commercial value. Some of the Test playing countries have already raised their voice in dissent against the proposed draft and even South Africa, the top placed Test team,also coming up with a strong statement. South Africa directly stated that the proposals were unconstitutional and that they should not be discussed at the next ICC board meeting, but their stance has been rejected by the ICC. Sri Lankan Sports Minister opposed the changes as well and scheduled a meeting this week to provide an official stance on it.The proposals need seven votes from the ICC's 10 leading nations to pass. Therefore in the wake of situation, Bangladesh needs to make an official decision on it. Everything has its positive and negative impact, so weve to read it carefully. The directors will discuss the matter at the meeting and then well provide our stance on it, said BCB acting CEO Niz amuddin Chowdhury. Bangladeshs chance to play Test cricket will effectively diminish despite if the proposals are put into effect.Niz amuddinhowever, was cautious in commenting on this aspect of the matter. The proposals are still being reviewed. Before our meeting is takes place, we cant say anything about these implications, he said. Other topics that will be discussed at the meeting are the financial aspects of the board and process of formal approval from the board for announcing a squad before an international series.

BCB vows to fight against Big 3 draft | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/25/bcb-vows-f ight-against-big-3-draf t
The Bangladesh Cricket Board will strongly oppose the proposed dwindling of Bangladeshs Test playing frequency in the ICC Finance & Commercial Affairs working group's controversial draft proposal. BCBs official declaration regarding the controversial issue was revealed by its director Jalal Yunus yesterday. The decision came in right after two days as different media reports said the BCB will nod positively to the proposed amendments of BCCI (Board of Control of Cricket in India), the ECB (England Cricket Board) and CA (Cricket Australia). It was reported that 20 off the 23 BCB directors had agreed support the proposal. The media reports were not true and I am saying this officially, said Jalal. The BCB director further informed that the voting was held on a strategic issue which the BCB didnt want to share with the media. The proposal from the three boards was discussed in the meeting. The draft proposals has two components one is financial, commercial and the governance issues and another was about the ninth and the tenth ranked Test team to get dropped to the second tier, informed Jalal. Jalal informed that 23 members voted against the proposal of Bangladesh not playing the Test but discussion continued about the financial and commercial issues. We want to discuss the financial and commercial proposals with other country members and then make our decision on the issue, said Jalal. The BCB decision arrived as a big relief for the national cricketers who are getting ready to lock horns against Sri Lanka in the first Test starting on from tomorrow at Sher- e- Bangla National Stadium. The Tigers captain Mushfiqur Rahim informed the media that the players are saddened of the issue with playing Test. All of our hard works will go into vein if this happens. The issue is big for us to be honest and we are not happy, said Mushfiq , the first Test playing captain to oppose the proposal. The wicket- keeper batsman also informed that the issue is often discussed in the dressing room and that everyone hopes the proposed amendments would not see the light. There is no use of our hard work if this takes place eventually. We have been working hard to play well in the format and we achieved some good results in the recent past. It will be really depressing if this happens, said Mushfiq further giving hints that they will fight if any decision goes against them.

Fans slam ICC revamp proposal | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/25/f ans-slam-icc-revamp-proposal
Hundreds of cricket fans formed a human chain at the capitals Shahbagh intersection yesterday protesting India, Australia and Englands draft proposal, which, if implemented, would strip Bangladesh of chances to play test cricket until 2019. The human chain, comprising mostly young men and women, called upon the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the government to take a strong stance against the proposal. They chanted slogans against the three countries terming them jamindars or landlords of the cricket world. They also protested against the BCBs apparent stand of deciding to endorse the ICC revamp proposal that would be raised on Thursdays executive meeting of the international cricket regulator. The crowd put up banners, festoons and placards with inscriptions such as this is cricket, not business; cricket is business to you but oxygen for us; BCB respect our emotion and say no to the three big idiots; play for glory, not for money; and ek dafa, ek desh, test khelbe Bangladesh (one demand, one country, Bangladesh will play test). The protesters placed a five- point demand including BCBs firm stand against the draft proposal; responsible role of the BCB officials; no politicisation of cricket; effective role by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to pursue India to scrap the proposal; and no police interference with peaceful programmes. In a position paper placed by a working group of the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC), one of the proposals is to make the teams ranked no 9 and 10 in ICC Test Rankings play the International Cup from next year. The International Cup is the ICCs first class tournament for non- test playing nations. If the proposal is implemented, Bangladesh will get virtually no chance to play test cricket until 2019. Bangladesh is currently ranked 10th in the ICC Test Rankings, placed behind West Indies at 7, New Zealand at 8 and Zimbabwe at 9.

Glamorgan bid to be new home of ICC | Dhaka Tribune

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County side Glamorgan announced Monday they'd submitted a joint- bid with the Welsh Government and Cardiff City Council to provide a base for the headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2015. Recent reports have suggested next week's ICC executive board meeting will consider a radical revamp of cricket's global governing body, including moving its headquarters from Dubai, with Colombo and Singapore also said to be vying with Cardiff to become the new administrative home of the organisation. The ICC was based at London's Lord's ground before leaving for Dubai, primarily for tax purposes, in 2005 to end a 96- year association with the 'home of cricket'. A statement from Glamorgan, the only Welsh team to play in England's County Championship, said initial talks about the ICC moving to south Wales had started. "Discussions are at a very early stage and ongoing, with Cardiff being only one of a number of possibilities being considered," it read. A Welsh Government spokesperson added: "We have engaged in discussions on the matter but at this stage any details would remain commercial in confidence." Glamorgan's Sophia Gardens ground in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, staged the opening Test of the 2009 Ashes series and was one of three venues for last year's ICC Champions Trophy. The controversial ICC 'position paper' also included plans for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to become the three major decision makers in world cricket off the field, with their sides spared relegation from the top flight in a proposed new two division structure for Test cricket.

ICC acting against its own vision? | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/27/icc-acting-against-its-own-vision
Former ICC presidents Malcom Gray and Ehsan Mani categorically stated that the ICCs Big 3 proposal clearly goes against the globaliz ation of cricket yesterday. A letter signed by,Ehsan Mani, (President ICC 2003- 2006), Malcolm Gray, (President ICC 2000- 2003), Malcolm Speed, Former ICC Chief Executive Officer, Clive Lloyd, Former Captain of West Indies and Former Chairman of ICC Cricket Committee, Shaharyar Khan, Past President Pakistan Cricket Board, Lt Gen. (retd) Tauqir Zia, Past President Pakistan Cricket Board and Saber Hossain Chowdhury, former president of Bangladesh Cricket Board, urged the ICC to withdraw the proposal made by the ICC F&CA Committee. They also urged that the ICC directors and management, its members and other stakeholders are, as a matter of urgency, to review and comment on the Governance Report by Lord Woolf and PWC, published in 2012, with a view to implementing its recommendations and improving ICCs Governance structure, in keeping with contemporary best practice. Under the proposal, associate and affiliate members would lose more than US$312m in projected revenue, an amount that would instead be redistributed largely to the boards of India, Australia and England. Manis report said, "The biggest gainers are BCCI, ECB and CA. In addition, ICC events for the period 2015- 2023 will be held only in India, England and Australia. These boards will receive hosting fees for the events in addition to the ICC distributions they propose. A point that also needs to be addressed is; why does BCCI need more money at the expense of other countries? The domestic and international media fees that BCCI receives from playing with other members are massive and underpin BCCI's financial position. It is the richest cricket board in the world. "If cricket is to grow and develop around the world, more investment is required in the associate & affiliate countries, not less. The associate & affiliate countries represent some of the biggest economies in the world. If cricket could be established properly in the United States of America and China and become an Olympic sport, the ICC could double its revenues in real terms over the next 10- 15 years. This requires vision and a less parochial approach." The ICC in its official website says Our Vision of Success- As a leading global sport, cricket will captivate and inspire people of every age, gender, background and ability while building bridges between continents, countries and communities. Its Strategic Direction will be a bigger, better, global game targeting more players, more fans, more competitive teams.Our long- term success will be judged on growth in participation and public interest and the competitiveness of teams participating in men's and women's international cricket. The latest proposals categorically opposes the vision and mission.

ICC going towards big overhauls | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/19/icc-going-towards-big-overhauls
The ICC is to consider a comprehensive structural overhaul of world cricket administration that will effectively cede most executive decision- making to the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB. A draft proposal on these lines will be presented to the ICC Executive Board during its quarterly meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. The proposal, drafted by a "working group" of the ICC's Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee - in which the BCCI, CA and ECB are key members - recommends wide- ranging changes in the ICC's revenue distribution model, administrative structures and the Future Tours Programme (FTP), questions the relevance of Test rankings and suggests the reinstatement of the Champions Trophy over the World Test Championship. And almost every recommendation of the "position paper" gives a larger share of control over world cricket to the Australian, English and Indian cricket boards - both in the boardroom and on the field. It also gives them a larger share of revenues, in a ratio that is linked to the ICC's revenue growth. The ICC says these radical proposals await response from and the approval of member boards. The document does, however, contain an April deadline for the formation of the ICC Business Co (IBC) - a newly formed business arm which will be set up to replace the existing IDI (ICC Development International) - in order to take over the task of issuing tenders for the ICC's next media rights and sponsorship cycle. The proposal recommends creating a four- member group called the Executive Committee (ExCo) between ICC committees and the Executive Board, which consists of the heads of national boards. The ExCo, the proposal recommends, will include three permanent representatives from CA, ECB and BCCI, who will share an annual rotating chairmanship. A fourth member of the ExCo will be nominated by the ICC's Executive Board and come from the seven other Full Member nations. The ExCo, if created according to the draft, will become "the sole recommendation committee on all constitutional, personnel, integrity, ethics, development and nominations matters."

ICC makeover: BCCI hints threat | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/23/icc-makeover-bcci-hints-threat
The cricket governing body of India, BCCI, served a notice to any International Cricket Council (ICC) full members opposing a makeover in the ruling body of the sport on Thursday, ESPN reported. The makeover proposes a structural overhaul in the ICC for bigger revenues and more authority on the parts of India, Australia and England. The BCCI has indicated a subjection of Indias participation in any ICC event against the draft proposal being approved by the ICCs executive board, the report said. The Indian cricket governing body had formally approved the proposal and termed it necessary for the interests of cricket at large. The draft proposal will be presented to the ICC Executive Board during its quarterly meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. Almost every recommendation in the proposal gave a larger share of control over world cricket to Australian, English and Indian cricket boards, the report said.

Kamal downplays Big 3 proposal | Dhaka Tribune

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The whole of the cricket world has been shaken up by the International Cricket Council (ICC) proposal which cedes power to the Big Three nations India, England and Australia and also threatens the financial future of all the other cricketing bodies. Many of the cricket boards around the world, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who stand to lose revenue if the proposal comes into effect, have met to discuss the matter which is likely to be discussed at the three- day ICC meeting later this month. However, ICC vice- president AHM Mustafa Kamal ruled out the possibility of any discussion on the Big Three proposal at the ICC meeting in Dubai on 27, 28 and 29 of this month. Kamal during a conversation with Dhaka Tribune over the phone yesterday, said that the proposal is not even an agenda in the working papers for the meeting. This proposal which was flashed by the media is no where mentioned in the working papers of the ICC meeting scheduled next week. I learnt from the media that this agenda was discussed in the sub- committee meeting where the BCB board president (Naz mul Hasan) was present, but not me, as that was not an ICC board meeting. So I cant actually say much about it unless it comes as an agenda to me. I dont think this issue is coming as an agenda in the meeting next week and a decision cannot be made if this is not raised in the meeting, he said. The former BCB president further informed that he and acquaintances from other cricket boards were surprised that the proposal had been released to the public. Everyone got to know about this (proposal) from a website from Cricket Australia. I dont think it would be right to discuss the issue which came from a website. I personally dont have any idea of it, as this is totally a new happening. I have talked to members of different boards from around the globe and they are surprised too. No one has any idea of this proposal, he said. The proposal from three dominating cricket board will hamper the globaliz ation of the game, but before it can be implemented at least eight full members of the ICC will have to support it. Anything which will affect world cricket shouldnt be done. World cricket has progressed a lot in the last 10 years in popularity, revenue and as an organiz ation. I think it wont be right to bring changes. There are clauses that one will have to follow for making amendment to the constitution. They will need an extraordinary majority to make the amendments, so many discussions will have to take place before any such thing happens, said Kamal. I dont even regard this as a proposal at this stage. Until it comes to me as a proposal in official form, I have no further comments to make, he added.

Mani urges independent review of Big 3 proposal | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/25/mani-urges-independent-review-big-3-proposal
Former ICC president Ehsan Mani strongly believes that the drafts prepared by the "Big Three" (BCCI, CA and ECB) should be sent to the independent panel before being put to vote in the ICC meeting. Speaking exclusively, Ehsan Mani, who served the ICC as its president (2003- 2006), says, "The position paper of the working group should be withdrawn and referred to an external independent panel to review and comment on" said the former ICC president "The BCCI, CA and ECB should have no part in this process or subsequent discussion on this matter as they are clearly conflicted. The manner in which this Paper has come about indicates serious weaknesses in ICCs governance. The Woolf Report was submitted to the ICC in 2012; there has been no serious discussion on the Report or its recommendations said Ehsan Mani. The Woolf Report recommended- Two additional Independent directors with voting rights should be appointed to the ICC Board, On becoming an ICC director the person should relinquish any executive or leadership role within their member board, The primacy of the ICC directors fiduciary duties to the ICC should be re- established, any side agreements between members that may adversely affect the interests of the ICC should be disclosed etc.

"The ICC Board and members should, as a matter of urgency, discuss the Woolf Report with a view to implementing its recommendations as soon as possible", concluded Mani

Nazmul keeping an open mind | Dhaka Tribune

dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/23/nazmul-keeping-open-mind
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will adopt a wait and watch strategy regarding the Big 3s draft proposal until the next ICC meeting in Dubai on 28 and 29 January and the BCB president said that there are some questions to be answered by the ICC in the draft proposal which are not clear said after the board meeting yesterday at the Mirpur Sher- e- Bangla National Stadium. We have discussed the ICCs proposal, which we did not go into any details on at the 9th January meeting but this time, we received it with details. There are some questions regarding the draft and we need to know those answers, said Naz mul. The ICCs next meeting will take place on 28 January but the BCB president will fly to Dubai on the 25th to discuss the issue with the other countries. Naz mul said that the BCB will not make a decision before the meeting. We have decided that whatever we think at the moment, we are not going to say anything before discussing with the other countries, he explained. Naz mul added that he heard about the protest against the proposed plan by the South African Board and the sports minister of Sri Lanka in the media, adding that apart from Pakistan, no country made any comment on the proposal at the last ICC meeting. Who is saying what outside the meeting and what they are thinking is not important if they dont say anything in the meeting. I will talk to those who made this proposal and ask for more details about it and also, I have to sit with the other countries. Then we will decide what to do, but everything will depend on how the other countries reacts, said Naz mul. He also said that India, England and Australia had done their homework before presenting the proposal and that the issue will not have any effect on Bangladesh hosting the Asia Cup and the World T20. Naz mul admitted that giving any decision against the proposal will backfire for Bangladesh if the draft is approved, If we go against the proposal and it gets the go- ahead, then it will be bad for Bangladesh which we dont want. Afterwards, 20 BCB directors voted for the proposal while just three voted against it.

Saber lashes out against BCB stance on ICC proposal | Dhaka Tribune
dhakatribune.com /cricket/2014/jan/24/saber-lashes-out-against-bcb-stance-icc-proposal
Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Saber Hossain Chowdhury expressed deep concern over media reports that the BCB is ready to accept a much debated ICC draft proposal, which the board voted overwhelmingly in favour of on Thursday. A letter Saber wrote states,I am aghast and deeply disappointed at the apparent decision of BCB Board of Directors to endorse a plan / proposal of three Full Members of ICC.This decision is tantamount to signing the death warrant for Bangladesh cricket. I read your comments about ego and reality but do not feel these can ever take precedence and priority over national interest and principles. There is more to life and responsibility than meekly surrendering and being subservient to powers that be. We now stand to lose all that we have so proudly achieved and this is simply not acceptable. I am sorry and sad to say that that the decision of the BCB Board of Directors is not in the interest of Bangladesh cricket and is also in conflict with our national interest. As the custodian of Bangladesh cricket, BCB cannot preside over its demise and be its de facto executioner. Plan of the three Full Members to re- structure world cricket, concentrate power in the few and create second class cricket citiz ens with regard to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is repugnant to the letter and spirit of ICC's constitution and the vision of growing the game globally. We must have the courage to oppose it and stand up and be counted. If you need my support or that of former Presidents, I am sure we will only be too pleased to help as best we can and stand firmly by your side and try to rally the other six Full Members of the ICC as well. I would urge you to review and reverse the decision of the Board of Directors and to oppose in the strongest possible terms the plan of the three Full Members. You will be failing in your responsibility as President if you fail to correct this. BCB will also have failed in its duties as the custodian and representative of our cricket.

Set to gain from ICC overhaul, BCCI backs revamp plan | Dhaka Tribune
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Set to benefit immensely from the structural overhaul of the ICC, the BCCI on Thursday unanimously backed the plan which would cede executive decision- making in world cricket to India, Australia and England. In an emergent meeting, the Indian board reviewed the proposals of the ICC Commercial Rights Working Group, which have created quite a flutter in international cricket. "The committee discussed at length the proposals of the ICC Working Group and felt that this proposal was in the interest of cricket at large," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement after the meeting. The meeting was chaired by board vice- president Shivlal Yadav after president N Srinivasan had to skip it because of his mother's death this morning. The BCCI unanimously agreed to approve the proposal of the Working Group of the ICC's Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee in which the Indian board, Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board are key members. The BCCI members "authorised the office- bearers to enter into agreements with ICC for participating in the ICC events and host ICC events, subject to the proposal being approved in the ICC Board". The BCCI also "authorised its office- bearers to discuss bilateral matches with other Full Members (including Pakistan) and sign formal Future Tours Programme agreements". As things stand right now, 75 per cent of ICC earnings are divided between the 10 full member countries equally and the remainder goes to associate members. In the lead- up to negotiations for the next ICC commercial rights cycle - - covering the period from 2015 to 2023 - India apparently wants its share of the global game's money to reflect the proportion of revenue the country generates. The planned overhaul of the ICC would also see a new executive committee formed by India, England and Australia that would decide most of the key issues in cricket, and a relegation system, from which they would be protected. Other changes would include a two- tier system for Test cricket in which India, Australia and England would be exempt from relegation and removal of control over scheduling from the ICC to allow countries to essentially pick and choose who they play. Cricket South Africa has spoken out against the plan, calling for an immediate withdrawal of the "fundamentally flawed" proposal. It has also drawn criticism from the Federation of International Cricketers' Association Executive Chairman Paul Marsh, who has called it unconstitutional. The structural overhaul plan is set to be presented at the ICC's quarterly meeting in Dubai on January 28 and 29. It must have the support of seven of the 10 full member nations to be passed.