International Cricket Council (ICC) president-elect Sharad Pawar has sought to defuse the row over the nomination of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard as an ICC vice-president. Pawar is set to take over the presidency of world cricket's governing body from Welshman David Morgan next month, with former politician Howard becoming a vice-president. Under ICC procedures, Howard would normally become ICC president in two years' time. However, officials from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have all raised concerns about Howard's suitability. Four votes are needed to block a nomination but India's Pawar is anxious to avoid a damaging split over the ICC's future leadership. Nominations are normally decided on a rotational basis and as it is Australia and New Zealand's turn to nominate a vice-president.The issue of the vice-presidency is set to be discussed at next month's ICC board meeting in Singapore.Zimbabwe Cricket's reservations stem from Howard's repeated criticisms of President Robert Mugabe's regime and South African cricket officials appear to be backing their neighhbours.