iFreePress Bringing News on Time Every Time Dubai: Pakistan’s ex- captain Zaheer Abbas, a ex- stylish batsmen who was known as Asia’s Don Bradman, was named president of the worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) at the governing body’s annual conference in Barbados on Thursday.
The ICC Annual Conference in Barbados on Wednesday approved Abbas’ nomination and encouraged member countries to appoint ex- leading players to the role.
ICC Chairman N Srinivasan added: “Zaheer is clearly an iconic cricketer who always played the game with skill, flair and in the true spirit”.
“I am thankful to all of you for the support and confidence placed in me by confirming my nomination”, Abbas said.
ICC Chairman Sirinavasan also extended his congratulations to Zaheer Abbass for his appointment as Pakistan’s president of the ICC. “Personally speaking, it has given me more than I can ever possibly repay”, Abbas said in a statement on the ICC’s website.
The ICC president’s post has been vacant since April after Bangladesh politician Mustafa Kamal resigned in protest alleging ICC denied him the constitutional rights to hand over the trophy during the recently concluded ICC World Cup tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Regrettably, the ICC Council also agreed to suspend the Affiliate Memberships of Morocco and Turkey while Brunei was removed as an Affiliate Member.
Abbas played 78 tests, scoring 5,062 runs and another 2,572 runs in 62 ODIs in between 1969-85. “He is a worthy ambassador of our great game”, said Srinivasan.
Abbas, who past 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.
The president’s post passes between cricket’s national governing bodies on annual rotation, with the next president to be from South Africa, followed by Zimbabwe, West Indies and England.
