Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Ian Watmore has resigned following mounting pressure following the cancellation of England’s tour to Pakistan. The 63-year-old is leaving after consulting with the board of directors this week, according to The Times.
Despite being appointed for a five-year term, Watmore served as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board for only ten months. According to the British publication, his resignation will take effect immediately.
The men’s and women’s England teams were scheduled to play two Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi on October 13 and 14. The women’s team was also scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Pakistan on October 17, 19, and 21.
Watmore apologised to Pakistanis who were harmed by England’s cancellation, which came on the heels of New Zealand’s withdrawal from Pakistan at the eleventh hour of their own tour.
“I’m very sorry to anyone who feels hurt or let down by our decision, particularly in Pakistan,” Watmore said in his first public comments after England’s decision sparked outrage from the Pakistan Cricket Board and cricket fans around the world.
