ICC in turmoil: CEO Manu Sawhney asked to go on 'leave'

New Delhi, March 10: The International Cricket Council's (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney has not been having the best of times lately. After his much-favoured idea of asking boards to bid for hosting rights of world events was met with a dead bat by the likes of BCCI, ECB, and CA, it has now come to the fore that his conduct has come under the scanner and he has been sent on 'leave'.

His conduct came under the scanner as audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers was conducting an internal investigation and the best way forward was to keep him away.

"Yes, he has been asked to go on leave as there have been allegations that his behaviour hasn't been that great over the last 12 months and is in conflict with the way the international body likes to function. The ICC staff have also been testified and it is a situation that warranted him being asked to go on leave," the official said.

While Sawhney has had difference of opinion with some of the board members in the past as well, especially when it came to the election process last year, the ICC's keeneness to introduce the new bidding process for world events seemed like it made things even more difficult.

Not to forget the problem which surfaced with the ICC looking to have at least one flagship event every year in the next cycle from 2023-2031. In fact, new Chairman Greg Barclay had to explain that the ICC would look at an inclusive approach and take every board member into confidence while trying to create a balance between ICC events and bilateral ties.

"I see bilateral cricket and world events as being very complimentary and needs each other. Bilateral cricket is the lifeline of cricket. Each country has to have both the ability and the obligation to play bilateral cricket. Countries will only get better and continue to be competitive if they get the opportunity to play against other countries, lesser countries to play against better countries. Better countries have the obligation to help those who perhaps don't have the experience or exposure," said Barclay.

"The ICC events are without a doubt a showcase of cricket and I think ICC runs very good at events and all countries do get an opportunity to enter the events. From the ICC's point of view as well as showcasing events, they obviously generate a reasonable amount of most country's income. So, there is a careful complementary balancing act that is needed. I am a fan of ensuring ICC events continue to be worldclass as they are and maintaining the abilities of all countries to continue to play bilateral cricket," he explained.