Pakistan cricket chief Zaka Ashraf said he felt “cheated” after South Africa abandoned their opposition to controversial reforms of the sport’s world body, allowing the proposals to be approved.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman said South Africa had opposed the International Cricket Council (ICC) reforms, seen as favouring the “big three” of India, England and Australia, as recently as Friday.
But South Africa supported the proposals at the ICC board meeting in Singapore, giving them the extra vote they needed to pass.
“I think South Africa cheated us,” Ashraf said from Singapore. “Just last night (Friday) they told us that they have changed their stance and told us that it was the decision of their board (CSA). It disappointed us.”
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa were the three opponents when the reforms were debated at an ICC board meeting last month. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now discuss the proposals with their respective boards.
“Our stance was based on principle but other countries went after money. I am afraid the big share of money will go to the ‘big three’,” Ashraf said.
But he added: “We have requested the ICC board to give us time. We will discuss this matter further and will try to get the PM’s (Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ) advice on this matter.”
Separately, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said he fears “severe consequences” from the revamp to cricket worldwide. “I think this is more damaging than match-fixing,” Latif said.
“Giving power to three ‘dons’ means they will take decision on their whims… handing power to three means the ICC ceased to exist.”
He added that there was a possibility of a players’ protest as well.
“If the proposal is implemented, the three boards will get larger share of revenue. Therefore, in future, the players could ask for a raise as well.”
