Former Pakistan captain​ Zaheer Abbas is new ICC president

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 25, 2015: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas was selected as the new president of the International Cricket Council on Wednesday during the third day of the annual ICC Annual Conference week in Barbados, confirmed in a press release.

The 67-year-old Abbas has already assumed the role, which will be on a one-year tenure. Thanking the ICC and each member of the world cricket body, the legendary batsman said, “I feel truly honoured and humbled to be appointed as the President of the governing body of our 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 ever possibly repay.”

He also thanked Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for placing faith in his capacities and assured to work in tandem with fellow administrators.

“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,” he said.

ICC Chairman N Srinivasan, who also represented the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the annual meeting, was one one of the first persons to welcome Zaheer in the ICC and hailed the Pakistani as one of the icons of the game.

“Zaheer 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,” Srinivasan said.

Zaheer, a right-handed batsman, played 78 Tests and 62 One-Day Internationals from 1969 to 1985; and scored 5,062 and 2,572 runs respectively. He was was also part of the Pakistani team in the Cricket Cricket World Cups in 1975, 1979 and 1983.

He also captained Pakistan in 14 Tests and 13 ODIs. In a 22-year long illustrious career, he scored 108 centuries, and is the only Asian batsman to score 100 first-class centuries. But he is more famous for being first batsman to score three consecutive centuries in ODIs.

Notably, he is the second Pakistani to assume the post after Ehsan Mani, who was occoupy the post from 2003 to 2006.

The poisition was lying vacant after Mustafa Kamal resigned as ICC President, with effect from 1 April, 2015. The Bangladeshi politician blamed the alleged non-compliance by the ICC of its purported rules regarding the handing over of trophies at global tournaments, including the ICC World Cup.

 

Courtesy: Zeenews