Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has assumed the role of the International Cricket Council (ICC) president on day three of the ICC Annual Conference week in Barbados.
Zaheer began his one-year term and thanked the ICC Board and the Full Council for confirming his nomination.
"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," said Abbas.
ICC Chairman N.Srinivasan congratulated Abbas on his appointment.
"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," said Srinivasan.
Zaheer, 67, 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, Zaheer is the only Asian batsman to score a century of first-class centuries as he finished his 22-year career with 34,843 runs.