Ehsan Mani, a Pakistani financial czar whose business acumen helped fill the coffers of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was picked to head the sport's world governing body. A London-based chartered accountant, Mani will take over as ICC president from Malcolm Gray next June for a two-year term.

In the run-up to the presidency, Mani will serve as ICC's vice-president for a year during which time the World Cup will be held in South Africa in February-March, 2003.

"I was honoured on behalf of Pakistan cricket to be nominated for this prestigious position and delighted to be formally installed as Malcolm Gray's successor at last week's annual conference," Mani said in a statement. "I already enjoy a close working relationship with Malcolm, fellow directors and Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed and look forward to the next 12 months and the build-up to my own term in office."

Mani, who has represented Pakistan in the ICC since 1989, was also a member of the organising committee for the 1996 World Cup in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka and has served on the Asian Cricket Council. His financial expertise was used to good effect when he played a major role in the sale of ICC media rights in 2000 - negotiations achieved a guaranteed income of 550 million dollars for international cricket till 2007. He will be the second person from Asia to head cricket's governing body, after India's Jagmohan Dalmiya.

Mani's appointment comes at a time when Pakistani cricket is facing a crisis over a succession of cancelled tours due to security reasons. India and West Indies declined to tour Pakistan in the last year, while Australia are almost certain to cancel their tour later this year.

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