Shashank Manohar agrees to continue as ICC chairman

Dubai [UAE], Mar.24 (ANI):International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Shashank Manohar has today agreed to defer his recent resignation following the board resolution requesting him to remain in the post was passed with overwhelming support earlier this week. In a significant show of support for Manohar, the ICC asked him to withdraw his resignation or at the very least defer it until the ongoing process relating to governance and financial restructuring are completed. Commenting on the decision, Manohar said, "I respect the sentiments expressed by the Directors and the confidence they have reposed in me. In the light of this, and although my decision to depart due to personal reasons has not changed, I am willing to continue as Chairman till the responsibility as per the resolution is complete." "I have duty to work with my colleagues to enable a smooth transition and continue our work on the governance of the ICC," he added. Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever said,"This resolution is a clear indication that whilst the Board may not yet agree on the detail of our reform process, we are committed to the overarching philosophies of it. We all believe that Shashank should be the man to see it through and whilst respectful of a decision made for personal reasons, we are delighted that he has agreed to remain in post until the completion of the 2017 Annual Conference where we can elect a successor." Vikram Limaye, member of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Committee of Administrators, said, "It is important that the current issues are resolved to everyone's satisfaction. We had a productive meeting with Manohar recently (prior to his resignation) wherein we outlined the concerns of BCCI on the financial model and governance issues and our suggestions for resolution. We are committed to working with ICC for a satisfactory resolution of these issues." Nazmul Hassan, President of BCB said, "For the greater interest of cricket, we need Shashank as the Chairman of ICC especially at this critical juncture. He can be assured of our full support." On March 15, Manohar, who was elected unopposed as the ICC's first independent chairman in May 2016 for a two-year term, resigned from the post because of personal reasons. He had led the effort to decentralise the power held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Manohar is a prominent Indian lawyer who served his first stint as the BCCI President from 2008-2011. Following the passing of Jagmohan Dalmiya, Manohar was re-elected as the BCCI President in October 2015 and, by virtue of that position, has held the role of ICC chairman since then. (ANI)