DURBAN, May 22: International Cricket Council (ICC) President Percy Sonn is struggling for life in an intensive care unit in a Cape Town hospital following a colon operation.
Sonn's secretary George Hector said complications had arisen after Monday's operation and his family was "hoping against hope."
Sonn's condition was extremely critical. He is unconscious and under heavy sedation, Hector said in a statement.
The 57-year-old burly cricket administrator had a routine operation but he was feeling unwell even before reaching the hospital. His wife and children were at his bed-side and guests were not allowed to visit him.
Sonn is the sixth person to head the ICC, following Colin Cowdrey (1989-93), Sir Clyde Walcott (1993-97), Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000), Malcolm Gray (2000-2003) and Ehsan Mani (2003-2006).
Prior to his appointment as the ICC president, he had a two-year stint as the organisation's vice-president.