Barbados: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas on Wednesday assumed the role of new International Cricket Council (ICC) president on the third day of the annual conference week in Barbados.
“2015 ICC Annual Conference: @TheRealPCB Zaheer Abbas confirmed as ICC President,” ICC announced on its Twitter account.
The ICC has been without a president since April when the former president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board Mustafa Kamal, resigned from the post in a protest over constitutional changes to the organization and the role of the president last year.
“I feel truly honoured and humbled to be appointed as the President of the governing body of our great game,” said Abbas in a statement to the conference.
“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 ever possibly repay,” he added.
He further 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 and more people to fall in love with the game we cherish.”
Abbas, 67, earned the sobriquet of "Asian Bradman" for his run-making feats as he scored 108 centuries in his first class career and also represented Pakistan in 78 Tests and 62 one-day internationals.
Abbas, who last year was a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board's management committee and also became consultant of the Pakistan team for a short while, said he wanted to be linked to cricket in whatever position.
"Though it is an honorary position but what is important is that the PCB has picked a former player for their nomination. It is a great way to pay tribute to the services of former players," Abbas had said after being nominated by PCB..
The ICC had made it clear that it was seeking an extinguished cricketer for the job.
