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TL;DR
- Jay Shah, at 35, becomes the youngest ICC Chair, succeeding Greg Barclay starting December 1, 2024.
- Shah was elected unopposed as the sole nominee after Barclay decided not to pursue a third term.
- He aims to globalize cricket, emphasizing the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Shah will resign from his roles as BCCI Secretary and ACC Chair to assume the ICC position.
Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the new Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking a significant milestone in cricket administration. At 35, Shah becomes the youngest person to assume this prestigious role, succeeding Greg Barclay, who served as ICC Chair since 2020. Shah’s unopposed election reflects unanimous support from the ICC’s Member Boards, with his tenure set to commence on December 1, 2024.
Shah, who currently serves as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has a distinguished career in cricket administration. His journey began in 2009 at the district level with the Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad, progressing to the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) as joint secretary in 2013. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the construction of the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, alongside his father, Amit Shah, then president of the GCA.
In 2019, Shah was elected as the BCCI Secretary, becoming the youngest office bearer. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including the record-breaking Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights deal in 2022, valued at INR 48,390 crore. Shah has also served as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) from 2021 to 2024 and chaired the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee since 2022.
Upon his election as ICC Chair, Shah expressed his commitment to advancing cricket globally. “I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council. I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket,” Shah stated. He emphasized the importance of balancing multiple formats, adopting advanced technologies, and expanding cricket into new global markets. Shah also highlighted the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a pivotal moment for the sport’s growth.
Shah’s vision for his tenure includes prioritizing Test cricket, allocating more resources to women’s and differently-abled cricket, and establishing a talent search program. “While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game,” Shah stated. He aims to ensure that cricketers are drawn to longer formats and that efforts are focused on this goal.
As Shah transitions to his new role, he will relinquish his positions as BCCI Secretary and head of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee. His leadership is expected to bring fresh thinking and innovation to the ICC, driving cricket’s global expansion and making the sport more inclusive and popular worldwide.
Source: espncricinfo
