Wasim Khan, Chief Executive of Chance to Shine, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours List, the Cabinet Office announced today (Saturday 15 June).

Wasim receives the prestigious award in recognition of his service to cricket and the community.

Commenting on his MBE, Wasim said, "I was genuinely shocked when I received the news, but I immediately felt hugely proud to be recognised in this way. It's a great honour and recognises the effort you've put in over a number of years.

"I feel a debt of gratitude to the many people who have helped me over the years and who believed in me. This award reflects the success of the Chance to Shine programme which is benefiting a great number of children. I'm grateful to the Cricket Foundation Chairman Adrian Beecroft, the Trustees, Chance to Shine co-founders Sir Mervyn King Mark Nicholas and Duncan Fearnley for giving me the opportunity and to the team for their support."

Chairman of the Cricket Foundation, Adrian Beecroft, paid tribute to Wasim and his work at the children's cricket charity, saying, "All of us at the Foundation are delighted for Wasim. He has worked tirelessly to help bring cricket opportunities to young people and to make Chance to Shine the success it is today."

Wasim, 42, from Moseley, Birmingham made his First Class debut for Warwickshire in 1995 - the year they won the double, including the county championship. He moved from Warwickshire to Sussex in 1998 and spent three seasons at Hove before a brief spell at Derbyshire in 2001.

He was one of the first British-born Asian to make the county grade. During his First Class career he scored nearly 3,000 runs at an average of 30.15.

After retiring from First Class cricket in 2001 he helped to promote the game in schools in Birmingham setting up Khan Cricket in the Community. In 2003, he moved successfully into national cricket administration, becoming Community Development Manager at the Professional Cricketers' Association.

In 2005, Wasim was recruited by Sir Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, to plan and implement Chance to Shine as Operations Director, before becoming Chief Executive in 2009. Earlier this year, the charity celebrated the two millionth child to receive cricket opportunities through the Chance to Shine programme.

Wasim is author of Brimful of Passion: Wasim Khan - From the ghetto to Pro Cricket and Beyond, named Wisden Book of the Year 2006. In 2008, he was voted number 31 out of a list of 50 of most influential people in cricket.