In an unprecedented development, ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney has been asked to go on "leave" after his behaviour came under the scanner during an internal probe by audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and might step down before his term ends.
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According to a PTI report, Sawhney, who replaced Dave Richardson after the 2019 World Cup for three-year tenure, hasn't also been on best of terms with some of the powerful cricket boards relating to various policy decisions.
Moreover, his allegedly "abrasive behaviour" with colleagues has come under scrutiny as well.
"There have been testimonies from multiple ICC staff about his ''abrasive behaviour'' which hasn't been great for the morale of a very efficient group of employees," a senior official close to the ICC Board told PTI anonymously.
The report also claims that Sawhney hasn't been attending office for some time and was sent on leave on March 9.
"The Board of Directors are trying to find a compromise formula where Sawhney leaves the post with dignity by tendering his resignation," the source said.
As per the report, Sawhney's "authoritarian style of functioning" was vastly different from the inclusive approach taken by his predecessor Richardson.
Apparently, some cricket boards were unhappy with him for backing interim chairman Imran Khawaja during the elections last year.
"He hasn't exactly been a favourite of a lot of cricket boards during the past couple of years. Firstly, a lot of people didn't like his passive involvement when Greg Barclay of New Zealand and Imran Khwaja of Singapore were in contention to replace Shashank Manohar," a senior BCCI source privy to developments in the ICC told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Another reason why some of the influential boards are not pleased is his support to ICC's recent decision of asking boards to bid and pay a fee for hosting events during the next cycle.
It is learnt that BCCI, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia have opposed the idea at the various board meetings.
One more reason is a proposal endorsed by him to have at least one ICC event every year during the next eight-year cycle from 2023-2031.
In case Sawhney steps down, it could lead to a long-drawn removal procedure by all-powerful Board of Directors.
"Manu also has support within the board which is now split into two factions of 9 and 8 members on each sides. To remove Manu, one would need 12 out of the 17 votes, which is two third of the Board of Directors since he came with approval of majority of the board.
"It will be interesting if the faction comprising ''Big Three'' can get 12 out of the 17 votes required to remove him," the source said.
(With PTI inputs)
