Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas was appointed the ICC president, on day three of the apex cricket body’s Annual Conference week.
Abbas began his one-year term and thanked the ICC Board and the Full Council for confirming his nomination.
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“I feel truly honoured to be appointed as the president of the governing body of a great game. This is the sport which has given us friendship, respect, recognition, and an opportunity to serve our countries in different capacities. Personally speaking, it has given me more than I can possibly repay,†he said.
“I am thankful to all of you for the support and confidence placed in me by confirming my nomination. I am also grateful to the PCB for proposing my candidacy as the ICC president. I assure you all, that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with all the ICC members, as we continue to strive to inspire more people to fall in love with the game we cherish,†he said.
Pat on the back
ICC Chairman N. Srinivasan, congratulated Mr. Abbas on his appointment and said, “Zaheer’s outstanding career as a stylish, right-handed batsman is reflected in his remarkable record with 108 first-class hundreds and more than 7,500 international runs.â€
“Mr. Abbas is clearly an iconic cricketer who always played the game with skill, flair and in the true spirit. He is a worthy ambassador of our great game,†he added.
Who is he?
Zaheer, 67, has played 78 Tests and 62 ODIs from 1969 to 1985, in which he scored 5,062 and 2,572 runs respectively. He also played in the 1975, 1979 and 1983 ICC Cricket World Cups and captained Pakistan in 14 Tests and 13 ODIs. With 108 centuries, Abbas is the only Asian batsman to score a series of first-class centuries, as he finished his 22-year career with 34,843 runs.
ICC’s structure
The ICC has 105 members. The Full Council includes 37 associate members, five affiliate member representatives and 10 full members. The ICC Chairman and ICC Chief Executive are also part of the Full Council but don’t have voting rights.