Khanna will join the ICC at the end of this month, leaving airline Air Asia India where he has held the same post for the last year.

Prior to working for Air Asia India, Khanna also worked for both Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

He also worked for ITC, an associate company of British American Tobacco.

"I am delighted to welcome someone of Ankur’s pedigree to the ICC," said ICC chief executive David Richardson.

"His CV is outstanding, having provided leadership to culturally diverse teams in a number of multi-national roles.

"He has a proven track-record and will make a positive contribution to our senior team."

Khanna will relocate from Bangalore in India to the ICC's headquarters in Dubai.

"This is such an exciting opportunity for me both as a professional and as a huge cricket fan," said Khanna.

"I am looking forward to joining the team in Dubai and bringing my experience to benefit the ICC and the rest of the sport around the world."

This is the second change to the ICC's ranks within a week after Shashank Manohar resigned as the body's first independent chairman after less than a year into the role due to "personal reasons".

The Indian sent a letter to the sport’s global governing body to say he would be standing down from the job he was given last May.

According to Cricinfo, the 59-year-old wrote to Richardson saying he had done all he could to fulfil the role, but felt he could not continue.

Manohar, who has served as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) twice, was elected unopposed and was due to serve a two-year term.