Mustafa Kamal is a desperate man these days. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president is wanting to be the vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) but the numbers seem to be the problem.
The word is that he is trying his best to woo the Indian cricket board. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan will be at the ICC executive board meeting that will decide Kamal’s fate but the BCCI has not yet opened its cards. The meeting is slated for Tuesday in Colombo.
As suggested by the board members at the last meeting, Kamal will make a presentation to make his case for the prestigious post but he will require some big numbers to have his candidature endorsed. At least seven of the 10 board members will have to back him but not too many are believed to be enthused by his claim.
Kamal’s name was originally proposed by Bangladesh and Pakistan boards as it was their turn but things have changed since the nomination was filed. Now Kamal is not sure if Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will back him after Bangladesh failed to ‘honour’ its commitment of touring Pakistan. PCB’s support to Kamal’s candidature, it was said, came with strings attached. It wanted a tour by the Bangladesh team but that has not happened.
Kamal will have to muster support from the Asian countries and in this context the BCCI’s backing is paramount. The Indian support could also swing other boards his way but Indian board president N Srinivasan refused to reveal his position. It is understood that Kamal is unlikely to get support from non-Asian countries unless he manages the Indian backing.
“Mere Indian support will not see him through but it will certainly help his cause,” said a source in the know of the ICC developments.
It can be mentioned that Kamal had stated in the beginning of the year that India had agreed to host and tour Bangladesh. In stead, in the year-end, India will be hosting Pakistan.
