Shaharyar Khan was a career diplomat who served as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2017, when he retired and Najam Sethi took over. Khan also represented the PCB on the ICC Board..

In a statement, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: "This is sad news for the world of cricket. Shaharyar was a very prominent and important figure who contributed enormously to the development of the game over many years."

"His experience as a diplomat helped him to lead the cricket administration in Pakistan very skilfully and he was also a respected member of the ICC Board. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to express our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at the PCB," he added.

In a statement, the PCB expressed "deep sadness and grief over the demise of former PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan". "The PCB extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Shaharyar Khan on his sad demise and wishes to always remember him as one of the pivotal figures in bringing cricket back to Pakistan over the last decade," it concluded.

Khan assumed the role of Chairman after being unanimously elected by the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The appointment was made  under the provisions of the PCB's new constitution, which was ratified in 2014.

Khan was also the chief of the PCB in 2003, the year in which he also served as Team Manager of the Pakistan men's team at the ICC Cricket World Cup. Khan held the same position with the national team during the 1999 Tour of India. He was one of the founding members of the Pakistan Super League in 2015, and stepped down from his role in 2017 after completing his term.