Leicestershire appoint Wasim Khan as new Chief Executive Officer

Leicestershire have appointed Wasim Khan as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Wasim replaces Mike Siddall, who left his post at the end of the season after four years in the role.

He has a tough job turning around the fortunes of Leicestershire, who have gone two seasons without a single victory in the County Championship.

Khan, 43, had a successful playing career in county cricket, winning the double with Warwickshire in 1995, before leaving and having spells with Sussex and Derbyshire.

The opening batsman scored 2,835 first-class runs in 58 appearances at an average of 30.15 including a career-best score of 181 for Warwickshire, the county of his birth.

He has worked in cricket administration since, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of the Cricket Foundation, which runs the Chance to Shine and StreetChance programmes.

Earlier this month, Wasim picked up the Asian Achievers award for Achievement in Community Service and a Special Recognition Founders Award at the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards.

Tremendous honour

Wasim said: “It is a tremendous honour to be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket. I am really looking forward to working with all of the staff and the Board because I know there are terrific people at Grace Road. It is an exciting opportunity for me.

“I remember playing at Grace Road in the past and the club has always been extremely well supported by its members and supporters. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in cricket as a player and it has been fantastic to continue working within the game I love.

“While I am delighted to be taking on this new challenge in the new year, it is also a sad time as I am saying goodbye to the Cricket Foundation. It has been an honour and a privilege to have been able to contribute to the inspirational Cricket Foundation charity.

“We set out to change the landscape of schools and community cricket in this country and to give thousands of young people the opportunity to play and learn through this great game.

“I’m proud that we have exceeded our initial ten-year target of reaching two million children in a third of state schools. I have no doubt that the fantastic team at Cricket Foundation will ensure that many more young people will receive the same opportunity to play the game we all love.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the whole cricket community and to everyone who has supported me over the last nine years.”

Leicestershire chairman Paul Haywood said: “We are delighted to welcome Wasim to Grace Road. The process of appointing our new Chief Executive has been a rigorous one and there were a high number of quality applicants.

“Wasim impressed the interview panel with his vision for the future, his passion for the game, and his track record both in cricket and cricket administration.

“Wasim has tremendous experience and knowledge of cricket from his days as a player and an administrator and has a track record in building successful teams. Wasim is very knowledgeable and we know that he will do a tremendous job for us.”