ICC accepts Kamal’s resignation on ‘personal grounds’

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has accepted the resignation of its President AHM Mustafa Kamal who stood down on being denied the honour of presenting the World Cup winners' trophy.

In a media release issued hours after submission of Kamal’s resignation letter on Wednesday, the ICC said he stepped down on personal grounds.

It also said he had no complaints to make against anyone.

The ICC Board will now consider the vacant position of the ICC president at its meeting in Dubai on Apr 15 and 16.

“Let the game of cricket under the leadership of ICC touch the hearts and minds of every cricket lover,” it quoted Kamal as he wrote in his letter.

But Kamal told a press conference in Dhaka earlier in the day: “It is not possible to work with those who will violate the constitution. I want to let the people of the world know this.”

His resignation followed a massive spat between Kamal and Chairman Narayanaswami Srinivasan.

The planning minister in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, he said he was worried about the future of cricket in the hands of this ‘rotten, controversial’ figure.

The feud saw Srinivasan violating the ICC constitution by presenting the trophy to Australia captain Michael Clarke instead of Kamal on Mar 29.

Kamal was reportedly scolded in an ICC meeting after he criticised ‘poor’ umpiring in Bangladesh’s quarterfinal match against India.

The Tigers lost the match to crash out of the tournament.