LONDON: Shashank Manohar is prepared to stay on as International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman to oversee a ‘smooth transition’ following reports that former India captain Sourav Ganguly is considering standing, the ICC said on Wednesday.

Indian administrator Manohar, who became the ICC’s first independent chairman in 2016, has ruled out a third term in office.

The game’s global governing body said no final decision had been taken regarding the election process but the subject would be discussed further on Thursday.

There had been suggestions that Colin Graves, who recently stood down as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, would succeed Manohar unopposed until reports emerged that Ganguly, currently the president of the influential Board of Control for Cricket in India, was interested in the role.

South African director of cricket Graeme Smith has backed fellow former Test captain Ganguly, saying: “It is time for someone close to the modern game with leadership credentials to get into the position.”

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2020