Ray Mali has been appointed acting president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the death last month of fellow South African Percy Sonn, the global governing body announced in a statement from its Dubai headquarters on Thursday.
Mali, 70, who has served as president of Cricket South Africa (CSA, formerly the United Cricket Board of South Africa) since 2003, will assume the role of acting president for approximately 13 months until the ICC's annual conference of 2008. Cricket South Africa nominated Mali Thursday and this has now received final approval by the ICC Board.
Mali will assume the role of acting president with immediate effect and in so doing he steps down as president of CSA, also with immediate effect. He could yet become ICC president at some point in the future, despite his current acting role.
"I take this assignment as an honour and a big challenge. I feel lucky to be taking over at a time when the game is in such good shape," said Mali. "It is also a privilege to succeed Percy, somebody who was a good friend and a person who worked so hard for the betterment of this great game."
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said of Mali: "Ray is an experienced and skilled administrator, a man of calm assurance and someone who combines a deep love of the game with an understanding of how best to secure its well-being.
"I look forward to working closely with Ray during the coming year in what is an exciting time for cricket, including as it does the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa," the Australia added. The appointment of the next ICC president, who will take office in 2008, will be made in due course.
Sonn died aged 57 in a Cape Town hospital last month following complications after undergoing a minor colon operation. The ICC board's next meeting is in London from June 24 to 29.
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