No plans to shun 50-50 format

In a free-wheeling interview, Haroon Lorgat, ICC chief executive, tells Vijay Tagore that the Wada issue is broader than India. Excerpts:

What’s your reaction to Sachin Tendulkar’s formula for the ODIs?
We are always ready to debate and consider suggestions. The suggestions come from time to time but at the moment there are no plans to move away from the 50-over format at the international level. It is a very successful format. Popular among players, supporters, TV viewers, broadcasters and sponsors and it has developed its own identity. I am confident the Champions Trophy in South Africa will demonstrate that the 50-over format is still relevant.

Do you agree that T20 is threatening the existence of Test and ODIs?
No. T20 is small part of the overall international cricket. International teams play very few T20s. I think T20 cricket has brought more players and supporters into the game and is helping the game develop. In that sense the overall impact of T20 has been hugely positive.

The BCCI has forced a review of the Wada code...
As you know, the Indian players have expressed reservations about the ‘whereabouts’ clause. The meeting of the IRTP working group, which was set up by the ICC to help find a solution, has been shelved because we are beginning to sense that the issue is broader than just India. There are a few other members who might be considering the same challenge. So it doesn’t make sense for us to just deal only with India. We have got an existing ICC board decision that needs to be reviewed because we had intended to implement it from August 1. We put that on hold as we sense the issue is broader.

West Indies board chief said India stalled a World Test championship...
India and England had expressed reservations about the proposed model of an enhanced Test Championship but all of us are committed to finding ways to promote and protect Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport.

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has talked of a cartel of four big nations — India, England, South Africa and Australia — which he says is influencing ICC policies. Your reaction?
We have 10 full members and three Associate Directors on the ICC Board. Each has one vote and each is entitled to exercise that vote as they deem fit.

What about allegations that ICC is driven by the BCCI?
The ICC has 104 members. We have 10 full members, one of which is the BCCI. All 10 full members have a vote on the ICC Board and they are all free to exercise that vote as they see fit.

How do you justify so many ICC events? In a span of 10 months, you have two T20 World Cups, a Champions Trophy and then eight months later a 50-50 World Cup.
That congestion is due to the postponement of last year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan. From next year (2010),  there will be one major ICC event per year. So in 2010 it will be the World Twenty20, in 2011 it will be the World Cup, in 2012 it will be the World Twenty20, in 2013 it will be the Champions Trophy, in 2014 will be the World Twenty20 and in 2015 it will be the World Cup.

Now that the ICC has settled its legal dispute with PCB, can you guarantee Pakistan’s participation in the 2011 World Cup?
I have no reason to believe Pakistan will not participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and I note from recent comments made by Pakistan captain Younus Khan that the players are very keen to win more ICC events.