The International Cricket Council confirmed on Monday that it will move its headquarters from London [Images] to Dubai in August after finding operations in England [Images] "not in the best interests of our members".

ICC [Images] president Ehsan Mani also announced shifting of cricket's governing body's commercial and financial office in Monaco to the Gulf city.

"Over recent years the ICC has operated from split headquarters, with the cricket administrative and anti-corruption elements in London and the commercial and financial operations in Monaco," Mani said.

"The Board has been committed to unifying its administration for some time and after considering a range of offers from around the world, the directors were of the view that Dubai provided the best way forward for the international game.

"The package on offer to relocate the ICC to Dubai was very attractive and preparations are now in an advanced stage to move to the Emirate in August this year," Mani said in an ICC statement.

The ICC chief said the decision to shift base was made even harder by the sport's deep historical links with England.

"Clearly, cricket's deep association with England and particularly Lord's as the historic home of the sport was a factor that weighed heavily in the Board's discussions on this matter.

"Nevertheless, like many international governing bodies before us, it is clear that operating in the United Kingdom under the current system is not in the best interests of our members."