Sports
Ian Watmore quits role as ECB chairman with immediate effect
The England and Wales Cricket Board ECB announced on Thursday that chairman Ian Watmore has decided to step down from the position with immediate effect, following criticism of the decision to cancel a tour of Pakistan.
According to reports, Watmore made a decision with "mutual agreement", which he signed to the board to leave his role following the end of the domestic season after just over a year in the role.
Watmore served as the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board for only 10 months, despite having been appointed for a five-year term.
He had come under scrutiny following the move to scrap the Pakistan trip, involving England's men's and women's teams.
"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," said Watmore.
"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."
Earlier today, Pakistan Cricket (PCB) Board Chairman Ramiz Raja said that New Zealand Cricket has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the rescheduling of the home series against Pakistan and "good news will be announced within a week".