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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket chairperson, Tavengwa Mukuhlani pulled out of yesterday’s race for International Cricket Council’s (ICC) biggest seat that saw Greg Barclay being re-elected without contest for a second two-year term.
Mukuhlani pulled out of the contest late on Friday despite having confirmed last Tuesday that he was running for one of the most powerful positions in international sports.
The ZC chairperson, who is a long-term director on the ICC board, had at least six backers including some of the smaller countries from the Asian bloc and also the powerful Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), which is known as the “mafia” of cricket.
Mukuhlani said in an ICC media release on Saturday that he decided to withdraw because he believed Barclay continuing as ICC chair was “in the best interest of the sport.”
“I would like to congratulate Greg on his re-appointment as ICC Chair as the continuity his leadership will provide is in the best interests of the sport. I therefore decided to withdraw my candidacy,” said Mukuhlani.
The ZC chairperson is part of the ICC’s Audit Committee and chair of the Membership Committee. He is also part of the global body’s Olympics working group, which is tasked with pushing for cricket’s entry in the Summer Games.
His manifesto is said to have been revolving around striving for equity among members and advocating for governance changes where smaller countries receive a fair share from the ICC revenue pool.
The reappointed Barclay is an Auckland-based commercial lawyer and was originally appointed as the ICC Chair in November 2020. He was previously the Chair of New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and was a director of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2015.
Commenting on his reappointment, the New Zealander said he is looking forward to working with the cricket members to strengthen and grow the sport.
“Over the last two years we have made significant strides forward with the launch of our global growth strategy that provides clear direction to build a successful and sustainable future for our sport.
“It is an exciting time to be involved in cricket and I look forward to continuing to work closely with our members to strengthen the game in our core markets as well as grow it beyond that, ensuring more of the world can enjoy cricket,” said Barclay.
Mukuhlani’s name is reported to have been put forward for the chairmanship by one of the ICC directors on the day of the nomination deadline, October 20. – @brandon_malvin
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