Dubai: In a landmark move that will change the global structure of cricket administration, the BCCI's status as the most influential cricketing body in the world was formally acknowledged with bulk of its demands being "unanimously" passed at the ICC Executive Board meeting here Tuesday.
While the 'Position Paper' was not tabled and exact percentage of revenue sharing was also not revealed, the decisions taken would certainly make BCCI happy as they would now largely control world cricket's governing body along withEngland and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) for company.
A press release issued by ICC after the conclusion of the first day's events states: "Recognition of the need for strong leadership of the ICC, involving leading Members, which will involve BCCI taking a central leadership responsibility".
While BCCI's demand for immunity of the 'Big Three' in a two-tier Test format was ruled out, they had their way in deciding the exclusive bi-lateral series agreements from 2015-2023.
The release also states: "The establishment of an Executive Committee (ExCo) and Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) to provide leadership at an operational level, with five members, including BCCI, CA and ECB representatives."
The decks were also cleared for BCCI president N Srinivasan to become the chairman of the ICC Board with effect from June 2014 as the first chairman will be from BCCI.
Similarly, a Cricket Australia representative will be the chairman of the Executive Committee (EX-Co) while the ECB representative will be head of Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee.
BCCI also had their way in doing away with the proposed World Test Championship as the Champions Trophy (50-over format) will stay on with three ICC tournaments being organized in every four years.
The ICC board also decided to create a 'Test Cricket Fund' from which all other members (excluding BCCI, CA, ECB) will be equally paid to encourage Test cricket.
