BCCI secy Devajit Saikia to head new ICC governance panel

BCCI Secretary and Advocate General of Assam, Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the chair of the International Cricket Council’s newly formed Governance Review Committee, one of two key panels created during the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh.

The ICC Board approved the formation of the committee as part of efforts to strengthen governance and oversight across the global game. Saikia will lead the panel, with Cricket South Africa’s Dr. Mohammed Moosajee and ICC Independent Director Dr. Ros Rivaz serving as the other members.

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The ICC also announced the creation of a Franchise Leagues Committee to oversee matters relating to the rapidly growing franchise cricket landscape. The committee will be chaired by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President and former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal.

Saikia is also a member of the Franchise Leagues Committee, alongside Cricket Namibia’s Dr. Rudie van Vuuren, England and Wales Cricket Board Chief Executive Richard Gould and Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg.

In another major decision, the ICC welcomed Mauritius as its 111th member, further expanding cricket’s global presence. The world governing body said the inclusion of Mauritius reflects its continued focus on growing the game in emerging markets and creating more opportunities for participation and development.

“The addition of Mauritius reflects the ICC’s commitment to expanding cricket’s reach, strengthening its presence in emerging markets, and creating greater opportunities for participation and development across the world,” the ICC said in a statement.
The ICC Board also approved a loan of USD 12.82 million to Cricket West Indies to support the board’s operational requirements. Several governance and compliance issues involving member nations were also discussed during the
meeting.

On Sri Lanka Cricket, the ICC acknowledged progress towards adopting a revised constitution but reiterated that elections should be conducted at the earliest opportunity. The Board also decided that Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to remain without representation at ICC Board meetings for the time being.

Sri Lanka Cricket is currently being administered by a nine-member transformation committee after the country’s government removed the previous office-bearers.

The ICC also approved a set of reinstatement conditions for Cricket Canada, outlining the requirements the board must meet before its suspension from ICC membership can be lifted. Cricket Canada was suspended last month over serious governance and financial compliance issues.

The Board also formally recognised Tamim Iqbal’s appointment as Bangladesh’s Full Member Director following his election as BCB President earlier this year.

Meanwhile, France Cricket has been placed “On Notice” after the ICC identified breaches of its mandatory membership criteria, with the governing body expected to monitor the board’s compliance going forward.