The USA Cricket is having a tough time. They are dealing with some serious corruption problems. After dealing it with quite a few times now, they have taken a step. The directors sent a mail to ICC. The email followed the ICC board meeting in Colombo, where the ICC is reviewing the situation in the USA after issuing a direct suspension warning in March.
The USAC Director’s Email to ICC:
In a serious email to the ICC, USA Cricket (USAC) directors Kuljit Singh, Arjun Gona, and Patricia Whittaker have accused chairman Venu Pisike and his board allies of misconduct. This email was sent right after the ICC board meeting in Colombo, where the ICC is reassessing the USA situation following a suspension warning in March and recent sanctions, including “controlled funding” on an “exceptional basis.”
Pisike and Srini Salver had previously sent a similar letter to the ICC in 2021, accusing some directors of mismanagement and requesting the ICC to strip USAC of its World Cup hosting rights. The new email details serious charges against Pisike, including the unethical dismissal of CEO Dr. Noor Murad and creation of a toxic environment for the co-authors.
The Email:
The email says, “ We, as minority members, are being cornered and pressured to step down, with veiled threats suggesting that more aggressive measures could be taken against us if we do not comply,”
The email criticized the “unconstitutional” re-appointment of independent director Pintoo Shah, noting it was done without consulting the Nomination and Governance Committee (NGC). The co-authors also questioned the validity of Chris Lievsay’s appointment as NGC chairman.
The email criticized recent appointments to USAC committees, suggesting they were based on personal relationships rather than merit. It also noted that some appointees, excluding independent directors, were not active members of USA Cricket, contrary to constitutional requirements.
The Email Claimed Systematic Corruption:
The email alleges election manipulation, citing “systemic corruption” in choosing a membership management company. It claims the RFP was sent only to three firms, including one owned by a friend of the chairman and his allies. The contract was awarded to this friend due to a meticulously crafted proposal.
The email says, “This systemic corruption and unethical behavior clearly indicates that they are manipulating the system to secure their future positions on the board, with little regard for promoting diversity or expanding membership.”
The chairman and his allies are accused of obstructing resolution efforts with MLC, a major issue between USAC and ACE. The email claims the chairman spread false information about ACE to the American cricket community, despite having approved the USAC-ACE contract in 2019, as he was part of the board that unanimously supported it.
Srini Salver, the male player director and cricket committee chair, faces allegations of “conflict of interest and corruption.” He is accused of unethically charging fees for coaching. The email also claims he and Pisike share a broader agenda to exclude MLC-eligible players (who moved to the U.S. on MLC visas) in favor of their preferred choices for the national team.
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