Chief of England Cricket Board (ECB), Ian Watmore, resigns from his post reportedly following the backlash since the cancellation of the Pakistan tour.
England’s men and women cricket team were due to visit Pakistan in October. There had been mounting pressure and criticism following the cancellation of the tour. Criticism poured in against ECB and Ian Watmore from within and outside England.
Watmore served ECB for 10 months only despite being appointed for five years. According to the UK media, his resignation will go into immediate effect. England had announced to cancel the visit to Pakistan after New Zealand pulled out from the series in Pakistan mid-way.
ECB chairman Ian Watmore Resigns#PakvEng
— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) October 7, 2021
In the first public statement after canceling the tour, Watmore said: “I’m very sorry to anyone who feels hurt or let down by our decision, particularly in Pakistan.”
Read more: West Indies likely to visit Pakistan in December
“The decision the board made was an extremely difficult one and the board made it with the primary consideration being the welfare and mental health of our players and staff,” he added.
Earlier, former West Indian bowler, Michael Holding, says England exuded “western arrogance” by calling off their tour to Pakistan.
ECB chairman Ian Watmore has left his role after only 10 monthshttps://t.co/KskQpM2Rt3
— CricWick (@CricWick) October 7, 2021
England Cricket Board had refused to send its men and women cricket team to Pakistan last month on security concerns and pressure of “bubble environments”.
“The ECB statement doesn’t wash with me,” Michael Holding said as he thrashes England for backing out from the Pakistan tour. “No substance.” He audaciously called out England after receiving the Cricket Writer’s Club Peter Smith Award.
Read more: Christian Turner receives flak from English, Pakistani cricket fans
Following the cancellation of the tour British High Commissioner, Christian Turner uploaded the video on his Twitter platform expressing solidarity and also claiming that British High Commission Pakistan has nothing to do with England Cricket Board calling off the series.
He said that British High Commission did not change the travel advisory for Pakistan or issued any threat alert. It is the independent decision of the England Cricket Board to cancel the tour. Christian Turner added that he considers himself the biggest champion in normalizing international cricket in Pakistan. He hoped that the cricket grounds of Pakistan would bustle with crowds again.