Pawar files nomination for ICC top job, could face ECB's Morgan

Mumbai, Dec 29 (UNI) BCCI President Sharad Pawar, who sent his nominations for the post of ICC president today, could face England and Wales Cricket Board chairman David Morgan as his challenger in the election to the world cricket's top job.

Incumbent ICC president Percy Sonn has still two years left but elections to his successor will take place at the ICC's annual meeting in London in July next year and nominations close on January 1.

Pawar's nimination was sent after his name was agreed upon at a meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Singapore.

Four of the 10 Test-playing nations come from Asia and the BCCI also hopes to get the West Indies on board to support Pawar.

Morgan, whose name was proposed by South Africa, is understood to enjoy the backing of Australia and New Zealand.

BCCI Chief Administrative Officer, Prof Ratnakar Shetty said, ''All four Asian Test-playing nations -- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- have decided to nominate Mr Pawar and his nomination has been sent to the ICC.'' Earlier, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah, who is accompanying Mr Pawar in Singapore for an ACC meeting, had revealed that Asian countries had agreed to back Pawar for the post.

''Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are in favour of Mr Pawar and we hope to elicit the support of the West Indies too,'' he said.

UNI GS WD VKG PDS VC2016