The Board confirmed the decision at its meeting in Dubai.

It follows the organisation passing a series of reforms in February, where it was decided that any future head of the ICC will be unable to hold a position within one of the governing body’s Member Associations following conflict of interest accusations had been levelled at former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Narayanaswami Srinivasan.

He was forced to stand down as BCCI President in India in 2014 after the Supreme Court of India found him guilty of a conflict, with his India Cements company owning the Indian Premier League franchise the Chennai Super Kings.

The announcement means England and Wales Cricket Board President Giles Clarke, who is reportedly weighing up a bid for the chairmanship of the ICC, considered one of the world’s most powerful sporting bodies, will have to relinquish his current position if he is to enter the race.

An exact date has not been set for the election.

It will take place “after all constitutional amendments have been approved by the Full Council”, with ICC chief executive David Richardson confirming to insidethegames that he expects it to take place in “mid to late May”.

The ICC is currently led by Shashank Manohar, who succeeded compatriot Srinivasan after the country’s organisation named him as their representative in the ICC last year.

The prospect of cricket bidding to become an Olympic sport was also discussed at the meeting in Dubai following extensive calls for the sport to attempt to gain a place on the programme for the first time since 1900.

Richardson had told insidethegames earlier this month that cricket can earn a spot at the Olympics if all ICC members unite behind a potential bid for inclusion.

“On cricket’s potential participation in the Olympics and/or Commonwealth Games, the ICC Board received an update from the management and agreed that further discussions were required with the Members and the other stakeholders, including the IOC and Commonwealth Games Federation before a final position could be adopted,” an ICC statement read.

The Board also revealed the expansion of day/night Test matches was under consideration following a successful debut of the format between Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

The West Indies were accused by the Board of “bringing the game into disrepute” after several of their players criticised their own Board in the immediate aftermath of their ICC World Twenty20 final victory over England on April 3.

“The sport of cricket is proud of its unique spirit and this involves being gracious in victory as well as defeat and respectful at all times to the game, one’s opponents, the sponsors and the fans,” said Manohar.