Ramiz Raja, the newly elected chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), posted on his Twitter about Ian Watmore’s resignation as the chief of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The tweet was deleted a few minutes later with another defending tweet popping up.
While apologizing, Ramiz wrote that the tweet was ‘erroneously’ put on his Twitter. Here is the screenshot:
ECB chairman, Ian Watmore resigns, reveals Ramiz Raja
The earlier tweet was erroneously put on my Twitter account. Apologies.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) October 7, 2021
Notably, Ian has left the chair with just 10 months completed of his five-year contract with the ECB. Ironically, the mutual decision from two ends has come 16 days after he stated for the first time on England tour of Pakistan cancellation.
He was much criticized for not making a public appearance and calling off the tour without players’ consent and that too with the lamest reason ever.
It is heard that Watmore, being under tension as the consequence of pressure over Pakistan tour cancelation, had no option, but to resign from his post.
An ECB statement said:
“Ian Watmore is to step down with immediate effect. He has reached a mutual agreement with the Board to stand down following the end of the domestic season and after helping to steer the game through the challenges of Covid over the past year.
Watmore said:
“It is with regret that I step down as Chair of the ECB, but I do so in mindfulness of my own wellbeing and that of the game which I love.
“I was appointed to the post in a pre-pandemic era, but Covid has meant the role and its demands on time are dramatically different to all our original expectations, which has taken a personal toll on me. Given this, the Board and I feel the ECB will be better served by a new Chair to take it forward post-pandemic. Leaving now, at the end of the season, gives the Board time to find a new Chair to support cricket through the challenges of the 2022 season and beyond.
“On a personal level, I also retired last month after five years at the Civil Service Commission and recently became a grandfather. I would now like to retire completely from work and enjoy our great game as a spectator.”
Earlier, Michael Holding, the retired commentator called it ‘Western arrogance’ after New Zealand, England called off their tours to Pakistan citing security, and mental well-being, COVID reasons respectively.
Also, see: New Zealand coach: No tension versus Pakistan in T20 World Cup
