Mustafa Kamal: the man without a plan

It is for situations like this that the phrase 'messing up ' has been invented.

Mustafa Kamal.
 Ex-ICC president, planning minister in the current Bangladesh government and a former BCB president.
He says and i quote

"The ICC asked me why I spoke in favour of Bangladesh. For me, country comes first, before I am the ICC president. That's why I spoke in favour of Bangladesh." 

Seriously ?

Tell me, is this what any reasonable man says.. His severe outburst after the quarter final between India and Bangladesh could be taken as one said in a rush of blood even if that was not appropriate. Granted the umpires did make a mess out of the situation and granted such errors aren't acceptable in world cup, that to in a quarter-final.
                                                                                 

KAMAL- ICC PRESIDENT OR BANGLADESHI FAN

However the way Mustafa Kamal handled the situation is lesson to all those short-tempered fellows in any high post how not to act. Mustafa kamal should remember that he is not the ICC president to forward the interests of the Bangladeshi cricket, his aim and the function of his post (though largely ceremonial) is to promote the interests of the Cricket, in which he has failed spectacularly. 

His role was to protect the umpires from the hawk-like "herds" of journalists present, ready to pounce on the slightest of mistakes and error, not to inflame the already rising controversy and create such a ruckus.

In this age of complete media coverage which jumps on to anything and everything, it was really unnecessary for him  to make baseless comments ,nay, rumours about the integrity of the umpires and their perceived agenda during the match. 

After all these drama he then complains of being denied his 'constitutional right' i.e of not being the one to present the winner of the world cup the trophy.
 According to clause 3.3 (B) of the ICC's constitution : "The President shall act solely as chairman at Conference and Special Meetings and be responsible for presenting trophies at global competitions and cricket events held under the aegis of the Council." In isolation such a denial will seem inappropriate but the question that arises is, has Kamal himself denied that right by making such comments which undermine the integrity not only of the umpires but also of the ICC. Added to the fact is that he was working in a leadership position albeit a largely ceremonial one . And then he expects to be called on to the podium and get reflected credit and be in the limelight.

If he did have a problem with umpires decisions he could have had a meeting behind closed doors, not with the open public. He could have tried to effect an investigation first instead of making baseless comments which comes close to questioning the integrity of the umpires. Heck, it blatantly questions their integrity.He should have held talks in a meeting with other heads if he had been harbouring suspicions, not provoke the media.  

Kamal should have seen this end coming from the attention and the response, or the lack of it given by the ICC save for one strongly written statement by ICC executive Dave Richardson who deemed it unfortunate and asked him to respect the umpires decision.

Kamal stated that he is"speaking as a fan, not as the ICC president." That is a very feeble attempt to lay down one's views in so strong a manner. What he forgot was that when he holds such a position personal opinion and the professional one are more or less the same to the public. They have to be, at least publicly.

Say an investigation was held in this regard and assume by chance Kamal is appointed the head of the investigation committee. How can i believe that he will not biased and make an objective investigation and a report without any previous judgments. It doesn't jibe.

Its like Virat kohli saying, " MS Dhoni doesn't deserve to be captain. I am saying as a fan, not as a cricketer." Imagine what will happen. Disunity at the very least. Everyone can then make their own statements in their personal capacity and make unwanted remarks without thinking much about their organisation and their position. If there is a rift and difference in opinion that has to be sorted out privately. No one is saying that Kamal is wrong to have such thoughts. Just imagine if the situation was reversed and Shakib-al-Hasan did not get out for the same reason. Definitely the Indian fans would get aroused. But those are the fans- that's the game folks, where one must accept bad luck. It all evens out in the end.

Instead Kamal tried to make this controversy into a public tennis match between him and the ICC which the ICC refused to get drawn into. 

That Kamal messed up even more shows when he refused to make a public apology and gave his 'country over cricket' reason. He is a politician after all. Such a nationalist statement is bound to attract attention from the Bangladeshi public.He on an interview after his resignation shifted from his earlier statements of really poor umpiring standard to limiting his stance on the lack of technology used.

Truly, Once a politician always a politician. 

He presumably resigned " In protest against those who worked unconstitutionally and for the greater good of cricket". It is telling that the ICC released a statement stating that he had no complaints to make against anyone. He himself clarified that he would not take legal action against the ICC as he had little proof. Then why make such comments in the first place ? 

It is for situations like this that the phrase 'messing up'  has been invented.