The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday nominated Abbas as their nominee after former Chairman Najam Sethi withdrew from the position.
Sethi, who now heads the PCB Executive Committee, was scheduled to take over as ICC President this month for a 12-month term but withdrew as world governing body said it was seeking distinguished ex-cricketers for the job.
The ICC will appoint the new President at its next board meeting to be held in Barbados later this month.
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 PCB'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.