Patel pleased by ICC offer

Imtiaz Patel, the International Cricket Council's preferred choice to succeed chief executive Malcolm Speed, has revealed he felt "humbled" to be offered the prestigious post.

The executive board of the ICC took the decision to offer the 43-year-old the position at a meeting in Dubai on Monday.

Patel will be invited to take up an initial three-year posting when Speed stands down in June.

Patel is currently the chief executive of South African broadcaster SuperSport International and has also held directorships with the country’s cricket board.

He said in a statement: “I am humbled that the ICC has stated that it will invite me to fulfil such an important role within cricket, a sport that has a very special place in my heart.

“I enjoy a most rewarding and happy career in my current role as CEO of SuperSport, which is a dynamic organisation within a wonderful international group.

“I will therefore be considering my position very carefully during the coming weeks and will be engaging in discussions with the ICC during this period.

“In the interests of the confidentiality of all candidates, I feel that it will be inappropriate to make any further public comment about the ICC post, prior to the finalisation of the process.”

Meanwhile, Darrell Hair has been reinstated as a Test match umpire following an ICC board meeting.