The 49-year-old property development consultant will take over from current chief David Ellman-Brown at the beginning of April.

Hogg played for Rhodesia, which later changed its name to Zimbabwe, from 1972 and was a teammate of current England coach Duncan Fletcher.

He was a member of the squad for the 1983 World Cup in England, when he played in two group matches against Australia, and later served as convenor of selectors from 1988 to 1994.

"Hogg has a proven track record in commerce and industry and brings into his new position, credibility and goodwill shown by the manner he has handled his previous posts," said ZCU chairman Peter Chingoka.

Hogg will take over with Zimbabwe cricket at a low ebb having lost five successive Test matches - three in Sri Lanka and two in India.

They have had three captains in the past 12 months with Heath Streak, Brian Murphy and now Stuart Carlisle in charge.

There has also been disquiet about the racial quota policy followed by the ZCU, with former skipper Alistair Campbell receiving a suspended four-match ban last year following comments attributed to him in a British newspaper.

"There are challenges, but I am out to enhance and maintain win-win scenarios for the country's leading sport - cricket," Hogg said.