Who will give away the trophy after Sunday’s cricket World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand?
That’s the talk in the corridors of power, as it is customary that the International Cricket Council's president does the honours.
- Photos from the World Cup final
However, since last year's transformation in the ICC, and the chairman having all powers to run the governing body of the game, all that has changed.
Naryanswami Srinivasan, India's most powerful cricket administrator, took over as chairman after the takeover by the BIG three last year. That made the ICC's president’s post, currently being held by Bangladesh's Mustafa Kamal, a mere ceremonial one.
Kamal, whose tenure ends in June, created a huge controversy by accusing the body he presides over of pre-arranging the quarter-final in favour of India after his national team was ousted at the MCG.
His reaction came after Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar ruled Rubel Hossain's delivery a no-ball when Rohit Sharma was caught in the outfield. The ball appeared to be marginally above Sharma's waist. Besides that, a Bangladesh review on Ian Gould's decision of not out against India's Suresh Raina off Mashrafe Mortaza also riled Kamal.
The ICC reacted sharply to Kamal's statement. Besides backing the umpires, it termed it "irresponsible".
Kamal sheepishly tried to rescue himself by saying that whatever he said was in a personal capacity, but that was not acceptable.
On Friday, he arrived in Melbourne in anticipation of being the chief guest at the final and presenting the trophy to the winner. However, it is learned that he was told that Srinivasan will do the honours.
- Apostrophe Content and Entertainment
