By IANS
Melbourne : Former Indian cricket board chief I.S. Bindra says he is willing to become the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC) but “some logistic problems” are holding him back.
“From a professional point of view I would love to do that job. However, I would have to sort out some logistic problems before I can put forward my candidature,” Bindra was quoted as saying by The Australian newspaper Saturday.
Bindra is one of the most experienced Indian cricket officials and was one of the candidates for the ICC president’s post in 1990. But Jagmohan Dalmiya finally became the first Asian chief of the world body.
Bindra, a suave and well-mannered former Indian Administrative Service officer, was president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1993-94 to 1995-96. He now heads the Punjab Cricket Association.
“An ICC sub-committee, which includes the chairman of Cricket Australia (CA), Creagh O’Connor, will choose (Malcolm) Speed’s successor from a list of 12 that has been compiled by international consultants,” said the paper.
ICC CEO Speed will leave the body after the completion of his tenure at the annual conference this June-July.
“It is not known whether Bindra’s name is on the list. Since he first became associated with the ICC in 1984, Bindra has been well known for his belief that the condensed forms of the game must be marketed in China and North America,” the newspaper said.
Bindra said he would like to tap the vast commercial markets for the game.
“In terms of rights, North America has become the second biggest market for Indian cricket. Bigger than Australia and bigger than England,” he observed.
“America is the largest commercial market for any sport in the world. If we do not start cricket in America, we will lose the greatest opportunity we have had.”