BCCI Secretary Jay Shah will reportedly be the next ICC Chairman. This follows the resignation of current Chairman Greg Barclay. Media reports say Shah’s rise follows his support for replacing Barclay in November.
The news broke after a video call. A New Zealand attorney, Barclay, informed ICC directors of his decision to resign. This included Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird. Barclay, ICC Chairman since November 2020, was re-elected in 2022. He decided against a third term after Shah said he had the support to take over.
Barclay was eligible for another two-year term. But, Jay Shah, son of India’s Home Minister, has support from cricketing giants: Australia and England. They want him to lead the ICC for at least three years under a revised constitution. Shah’s tenure as BCCI Secretary was due to end next year, but his ascent to ICC leadership appears imminent.
Shah’s possible appointment comes as the ICC faces issues. It has a $3 billion media rights dispute with TV broadcaster Star. The ICC’s leadership is under scrutiny. There is a $20 million budget overrun on the USA leg of the T20 World Cup 2024 and a dispute over it.
The ICC requires chair nominations by August 27, 2024. The new chair will start on December 1, 2024. The election process needs a simple majority of nine votes from the 16-member ICC board.
Jay Shah is very influential in the ICC. He heads its Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee. If he becomes ICC Chairman at 35, he will be the youngest in its history. He would join a prestigious list of Indians who have led the ICC. It includes Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
Read Also – Yuvraj Singh Biopic Announced: What We Know About the Film on the Cricket Legend
