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The powerful Asian- African block within the International Cricket Council (ICC) flexed its muscles to reject former Australian prime minister John Howard’s nomination for the vice- president’s post on Wednesday — the day Sharad Pawar became only the second Indian to become ICC president.

Howard’s hard- line policy as prime minister (1996- 2007) against President Robert Mugabe’s regime in Zimbabwe and his lack of experience in cricket administration seem to have gone against him.

As expected — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies — opposed his candidature while England, New Zealand and Australia were in Howard’s favour. “ The ICC executive board today met to discuss the nomination of John Howard for the role of ICC vice- president for the period 2010- 12. Following lengthy consideration, it was recognised that the nomination put forward by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) did not have sufficient support within the ICC board. No vote was taken,” ICC said in a statement from Singapore.

Howard, as prime minister, had openly called Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker in the 1990s. The rightwing politician had also antagonised many when he backed Australian umpire Darrell Hair, who had awarded a Test match to England against Pakistan in 2007 amid ball- tampering allegations against the Asians.

Howard said his political decisions went against him. “ I’m disappointed at the outcome. I wanted to do this job; I felt I could do it well,” he told Sky News.

“ Even in private discussions, they are very reluctant to give a particular reason. If it was in some way based on past political positions, well, that’s a very bad precedent to be establishing.” As per ICC rules, Australian and New Zealand boards will now submit a new nominee by August 31. Former NZC chairman John Anderson, who lost out to Howard, could finally win the nomination. Only one other Indian — Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997- 2000) – and another Asian — Pakistani Ehsan Mani (2003- 2006) — have held the ICC top post before Pawar.

Pawar, who just completed a two- year term as ICC vice- president, is a former BCCI president and currently head of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). He took over from Englishman David Morgan.

Mani wished Pawar, 69, well.

“ Mr. Pawar’s political background is, I believe, good for the ICC. I am delighted that he has been chosen by BCCI and wish him well,” Mani told M AIL T ODAY from England.

“ The resumption of bilateral series between Pakistan and India must be on top of Mr.

Pawar’s list. I was faced with the same challenge when I became ICC president and worked hard to assist in the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan,” he said.

Since Pawar is already preoccupied with Indian politics, he would rely heavily on the expertise of IS Bindra, ICC’s principal advisor and seasoned cricket administrator, to run the world body on a daily basis. And, Pawar will, of course, have the full backing of the BCCI. The highlight of Pawar’s two- year tenure will be next year’s World Cup, to be hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.