‘Asian Bradman’ Zaheer Abbas Appointed New ICC President

Zaheer, 67, filled the vacancy in the largely honorary role left by Bangladeshi Mustafa Kamal.

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has been appointed the new President of the ICC, at the body’s annual conference in Barbados. The 67-year-old will hold the post for one year.

Zaheer filled the vacancy in the largely honorary role left by Bangladeshi Mustafa Kamal who resigned after falling out with the ICC’s Indian chairman over who should hand out the World Cup trophy.

Following his appointment, Zaheer thanked the ICC Board and the Full Council for confirming his nomination. 

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.
– Zaheer Abbas, ICC President

Zaheer Abbas, The India Tormentor

As a cricketer, Abbas enjoyed an illustrious career in which he played 78 Tests and 62 ODIs between 1969 to 1985, scoring 5,062 and 2,572 runs respectively.

Abbas also played three World Cups - in 1975, 1979 and 1983.

However, it was against India that he saved his best. While he averaged 44.79 in whites against all teams, in the 19 Tests he played against India, Abbas amassed a massive 1790 run at an average of 87. In fact, he famously remained unbeaten on 235 in the second home test against the neighbors on in 1978.

In the shorter format as well, ‘the Asian Bradman’ averaged 51 in 13 matches against India.

After the confirmation of his new designation at the ICC’s AGM in Barbados, the Pakistani great added, “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.”