By Fakir Hassen, IANS
Cape Town : Haroon Lorgat, incoming chief executive officer of the International Cricket Council (ICC), does not see India’s dominant position in world cricket as a threat and instead wants to use it for the betterment of the sport.
Lorgat, who replaces Malcolm Speed July 1, said he was aware of the stories in international media about India’s powerful position in cricket because of its financial might.
“But this is an opportunity for cricket,” he told the Afrikaans daily Beeld here Saturday.
“It is true that India is strong in the cricketing world, but we must use India as a lever to develop the sport (globally).
“I also know that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) always tries to protect the role of the ICC.”
Reacting to a question about the threat to the traditional forms of the game from Twenty20 cricket, Lorgat said he did not see this as a huge problem either.
“I see Twenty20 cricket as a wonderful opportunity to grow the game. There are more people who have become interested in cricket because of Twenty20 cricket, and we can definitely use it to lure more people to the game.”
Lorgat, who was offered the position after a fellow South African, Imtiaz Patel, declined the ICC offer, said he believed that international cricket was in a very healthy position
“The financial state of the sport is very good and the biggest challenge is to sustain this and to ensure that the sport grows even further.”
Lorgat, a chartered accountant by profession, is a veteran cricket player and seasoned administrator who has also served as convenor of the national selection committee in South Africa.