Johannesburg:
Ending weeks of speculation raised by India's reported opposition, Cricket South Africa has appointed Haroon Lorgat as its CEO, a post that was lying vacant after Gerald Majola was sacked in October last year due to the IPL bonus-payments controversy.
Lorgat's appointment assumed significance because of reports that the financially powerful BCCI had opposed the 53-year-old due to its differences with him during his tenure as the ICC's CEO on the issues of DRS and the Future Tours Programme.
"Mr. Lorgat's appointment follows a thorough and rigorous process to fill this important position," CSA President Chris Nenzani said in a statement.
"The quality of the candidates was exceptional and I would like to express my appreciation to the sub-committee of the Board as well as my colleagues on the Board who have brought this matter to a highly satisfactory conclusion."
Lorgat was a CSA treasurer and convenor of selectors before his four-year term as CEO of the ICC which began in 2008.
The run-up to his latest appointment was abuzz with speculation that CSA-BCCI tied could take a hit in case he was picked even though both the Boards denied this.
There were also reports that the BCCI threatened to pull out of an upcoming series, comprising of two Twenty20s, seven ODIs and three Tests here, if CSA took Lorgat on board.
