Sourav Ganguly - web image - sportstiger

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BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the chair of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee after Anil Kumble stepped down having served a maximum of three, three-year terms. In addition, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has appointed a Working Group to review the status of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and cricket in Afghanistan keeping in mind the recent political and structural changes in the country.

The working group comprises Imran Khwaja (chair), Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo, and Ramiz Raja. The group is set to report back to the board over the coming months.

Speaking on Ganguly's appointment as ICC Men's Cricket Committee chair, Greg Barclay hoped that Ganguly's experience as one of the world's best batters and as administrator will help shape the cricketing decisions of the committee in the time to come.

Would like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years: Barclay

"I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee. His experience as one of the world's best players and latterly as an administrator will help us shape our cricketing decisions moving forward," Barclay quoted.

"I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years which has included improving the international game through more regular and consistent application of DRS and a robust process for addressing suspect bowling actions," he added.

Other than these developments, the Board also approved that first-class status and list A classification which will be applied to women's cricket to align it with the men's game and applied retrospectively. Moreover, the ICC Women's Committee will be known as the ICC Women's Cricket Committee and will assume all decision-making responsibility for women's cricketing reporting directly to the CEC.

With Ganguly taking charge as the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, it is Johnny Grave, the current CEO of Cricket West Indies, who has been appointed to the ICC Women's Cricket Committee.

".. On behalf of the ICC Board, I'd like to thank the ICC staff for their continued commitment over the last two years. It hasn't been a straightforward period and the challenges thrown at us by COVID have impacted how they have had to operate. They have responded with great energy and have consistently delivered to a high standard culminating with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 which has been a resounding success," Barclay said.