Batting maestro Zaheer Abbas of Pakistan assumed the role of the International Cricket Council (ICC) President on Tuesday, according to a message received in Dhaka on Thursday. Zaheer Abbas, 67, the former Pakistan national cricket team captain, took over the ICC presidency on day three of the ICC Annual Conference week in Barbados in the Caribbean. Zaheer Abbas began his 1-year term and thanked the ICC board and the full council for confirming his nomination. He 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,” commented the great batsman of ’60s and 70s. "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 added. ICC Chairman N. Srinivasan congratulated Zaheer Abbas on his appointment as ICC chief. "Zaheer's outstanding career as a stylish right-handed batsman is reflected in his remarkable record with 108 first-class hundreds and more than 7,500 international runs. "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. The ICC Council also approved the admission of the Serbia Cricket Federation (SCF) as the 58th Affiliate Member of the ICC, according to a news agency.[/size][/font]
