Haroon Lorgat – CEO, ICC – Exclusive Interview with iSc

July 5, 2011

Haroon Lorgat, medstore CEO of The International Cricket Council (ICC), has taken part in an exclusive Featured Profile interview with iSportconnect.

Lorgat stated that his experience of first-class cricket provided him with “some credibility but more importantly with the insight needed to deal with cricketing issues and the viewpoints from a player’s perspective.”

The ICC has been faced with a multitude of issues in recent months, including the impact of The Decision Review System (DRS) and the rules that run alongside it. Lorgat sticks by the system and its purpose by saying, “simply look at the statistics” adding, “it is widely acknowledged that DRS has improved the number of correct umpiring decisions and avoided any major blunders, which is what it was designed to do.” Lorgat also considers the system to be highlighting the “outstanding ability of our match officials on many, many occasions.”

Lorgat was also confident that recent spot-fixing issues were something the Council had under control. He explained, “we have always been cautioning Members against complacency. I am also convinced that we have avoided many similar scenarios through the education and prevention systems we have in place.” The CEO of The ICC also added that he had “faith” in the appeal process and that cricket would “absolutely not” be tarnished if the charged trio of Pakistani cricketers were successful with their appeal.

Questions have been posed to the ICC regarding the recent success of Twenty20 cricket over the more traditional test and 50 over matches. Lorgat however, contested this opinion by saying “I did not hear a single viewpoint during the ICC Cricket World Cup that 50 over cricket was dead as the interest was significant with a large number of exciting matches.” He also said that the ICC were looking to “enhance the format” of the longer version and to come up with some “new innovations” to make it more exciting. Lorgat also believes the longer form of the game has already improved since the introduction of Twenty20, saying “the standards of fielding” and “run rates” were improving, as seen in The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup which had the highest runs per over rate of any World Cup.

The ICC’s decision to reformat the next two World Cups to 10 teams has been met with anger from associate members. Since then, the decision has been reviewed with Lorgat stating, “The President, in consultation with the executive and some Board colleagues, has decided that this decision should be reviewed at the Board meeting in June.”

Following security issues and ticket problems in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup, Lorgat believes that, “there is no stadium on the planet that could have catered for the demand for tickets that existed in this event.” He went on to say that, “there were no security incidents around the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and that is hopefully a reflection of the ICC.” There will also be no change in the process in staging the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand according to Lorgat. “We will work just as hard with the authorities in Australia and New Zealand because the security of the players, officials, staff and spectators will always be paramount in our thinking and planning.”

Before joining The ICC, Lorgat was a qualified chartered accountant but his “passion” for the game sparked his switch into the sport business world. “I grew up playing the sport every day and it was perhaps a case of trying to fit in my professional career while remaining involved in the sport.” In reference to his role of CEO he added that, “it is enjoyable to work with so many passionate and talented individuals in a stimulating environment.”

Lorgat had the final word on his association with iSportconnect and the incentives it brings, stating: “It brings together people in the fast moving sports business world and offers a platform for the exchange of views, opinions and new ideas.”

Read the full article here – http://isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7376&catid=52&Itemid=164