ICC, From Pear Shape to Oval Shape
By  Dr. Ihtesham ur Rehman

CRICKET quality at the fourth test was at its highest and both Pakistani and English supporters along with millions watching over the World were enjoying a match which could have gone down to the wire with a very interesting finish. But unfortunately, it ended up in a complete mess.

Rather than pointing fingers, let’s evaluate why things have gone from “Pear shape to Oval shape”.

ICC at times and times again has failed to act as an “Independent authority”. Job of the ICC should be to make sure that “Quality Control and Assurance” is achieved by the implementation of rules and regulations through the involvements of all their members.

If rules and regulations are implemented without the consultation of member (participants) then the implementation of these becomes a major barrier and that barrier is very difficult to remove.

When barriers keep on increasing then communication breakdown occurs, which results in a complete chaos.

That is exactly, what has happened in the fourth test match. When an organisation has a problem “with a particular” inspector, then that particular inspector is never sent for inspections.

This is a golden thumb rule in the books of management. It begs a believe, why Mr. Hair was appointed as an umpire for this series. Either the ICC hierarchy needs to do some management courses or put their hands up and admit they are not up to it. This job is too much for them.

The ICC may have become too bigger beast for them to handle and unfortunately, Asian countries do suffer due to ICC’s incompetency and their own lack of defined management structure.

Countries such as England, Australia etc., have a well organised professional cricket board and they can handle ICC and drive the agenda to their liking, which results in protecting their own interests.

The solution to Asian Cricket’s problems is in their own hands. All they need to do is to form their own governing body “Asian Cricket Council” according to their own needs, an organisation capable of protecting the interest of it’s members.

The organisation should have constitution inline with their constitution of ICC, but should be able to talk to ICC to protect it’s own members.

Member should include, Pakistan, Siri-Lanka, Bangladesh, as the full members with United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and other cricket playing countries in Asia as their Associate members.

Failing to take a decisive action now means that Asian Cricket will continue to suffer at the hands of ICC dictators, who still can not grasp the fact that Asian Cricket has grown phenomenally and has moved on.

If the safeguards are not put in place now, then great bowlers like Muttaih Muralitharn will still be called “Chucker”, greatest opening pair the world has ever seen “Waqar and Wasim” will continue to be questioned and the test matches will continue to go from “Pear Shape to Oval Shape”.●

© 2006  Dr. Ihtesham ur Rehman