LAHORE: Pakistan on Tuesday nominated former captain Zaheer Abbas to become president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the game’s world governing body said it was seeking distinguished ex-cricketers for the job.

The announcement comes a day after former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi withdrew his candidacy in response to the ICC’s decision the post would only be open to leading former players from July 2016.

A short press release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board late Tuesday evening said: “PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and board of governors have approved the nomination of Zaheer as ICC president for 2015-16.”

Zaheer’s nomination will be considered in an ICC board meeting to be held in Barbados from June 22-26. If approved, he will take over on July 1 for one year.

The post of ICC president has become largely ceremonial after the body passed reforms last year which made the chairman the head of the organisation.

Earlier in the day, PCB chief Shaharyar had said that three names were under consideration and the best one could be selected after consulting all the members of the Governing Board.

“The PCB will only select a cricketing icon for this post and soon a decision will be taken after consulting the members of Board of Governors,” he had stated.

Shaharyar, however, rejected the impression that there were any lobbies active in the PCB. “There are no two lobbies working in the PCB. However, insecurity may be bothering a few PCB officials who spread such news. Sethi is a wise man and I always accept his wise recommendations and he (Sethi) also accepts mine. So there is understanding between the two of us,” he clarified.

Speaking about a possible tour of the Sri Lankan cricket team to Pakistan in the near future, Shaharyar said that although Sri Lankan cricket board’s interim-committee head Sidath Wettimuny had witnessed in person all the security arrangements made for the Zimbabwe cricket team here, he had not made any promises that they would send their team in September.

Shaharyar further disclosed that tremendous feedback was received by the PCB for successfully holding the first home series after six years in Pakistan against Zimbabwe for which the entire PCB staff, local police, rangers and all other stakeholders deserved huge appreciation.

“Sidath has said that he will discuss the entire situation back at home and then he will convey the final decision of his country about touring Pakistan later this year,” he said.

Shaharyar hinted that a tight schedule of the Pakistan team would also not allow Pakistan to play any series against Sri Lanka in September.

“After completing the tour of Sri Lanka in July, Pakistan will tour Zimbabwe in August to play shorter version matches. And after that head coach Waqar Younus has this plan to organize a 15-day training camp before embarking to the UAE for the full series against England starting in October,” said Shaharyar.

“And then in December, Pakistan is hoping for the resumption of the bilateral series against India in the UAE,” he said.

He said that there were two hurdles in the way of the series against India, the first where the BCCI has to seek permission from its government and second an issue of the broadcasters with whom Pakistan has signed a four-year contract recently.

“But in India, that broadcaster is in litigation against the BCCI,” said the PCB chief. “But since the PCB has no option of changing its broadcaster, a mid-way solution to this problem is being sought but it does not appear easy for both the countries.”

Meanwhile, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif also hosted a function in honour of the PCB, the police high officials, and Punjab Sports Board for making successful arrangements for the Zimbabwe series.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2015

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