Imran Khawaja takes over as ICC deputy chairman

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed the veteran Singapore-based administrator, Imran Khawaja, as its new deputy chairman. In case ICC chairman Shashank Manohar is absent, Khawaja will deputise in ICC meetings.

The deputy chairman position is a newly created position, a part of the new constitution that was adopted by the chief cricket body on Thursday. Khawaja has operated as an invisible force at the ICC Board for several years now. The senior lawyer’s a primary role in the ICC has been as the chairman of Associate counties. However, with the ICC seeking his counsel on several occasions, he has been a part of influential committees.

Most recently, Khawaja had convinced Manohar to renounce his resignation and complete his two-year tenure. The newly appointed deputy chairman had worked closely with Manohar as a part of the five-man ICC working group led by the latter. The group had drafted the new constitution last year.

Manohar’s term is set to come to an end in June next year. As of now, Khawaja’s position as the deputy chairman makes him one of the frontrunners for the job.

Statement after being elected as the Deputy Chairman

He was ecstatic at being elected as Deputy Chairman and hoped that the game will see a more vibrant membership and a very competitive structure.

In a media release, Khawaja was quoted saying, “It is a great honour to be elected Deputy Chairman especially whilst wearing the hat of an Associate. I am also privileged to be part of the working group to have authored and reinvented the ICC constitution to make it one of the most inclusive, transparent and merit-based sports governing bodies in the world. I have no doubts that a new era is dawning on our great game which will see not only a more vibrant membership but also a competition structure that sees cricket played at the highest level.”