Photo Credit: ICC
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah has officially assumed the role of International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair. His appointment comes at a time when India and Pakistan remain at odds over the venue for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Shah, son of Home Minister Amit Shah, was unanimously elected to the position, succeeding Greg Barclay, who served as ICC Chair since November 2020. Shah is now the youngest ICC Chair in history, bringing over 15 years of cricket administration experience to the role.
In his inaugural statement as ICC Chair, Shah emphasized a vision centered on leveraging cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerating the growth of women’s cricket.
“I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” Shah said, highlighting the critical opportunities to enhance the sport’s global reach and inclusivity.
“This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans worldwide.”
“We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game. Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights,” he added.
Shah’s appointment aligns with the ongoing negotiations surrounding Star’s substantial broadcasting deal for global cricket events from 2024 to 2027. As Chair, he also continues to lead the influential ICC Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee.
Before his ICC tenure, Shah held significant leadership roles at the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), the Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA), and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). As BCCI Secretary since 2019 and ACC President since 2021, he has overseen several milestones, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) securing a record-breaking media rights deal, elevating it to the world’s second-most valued sporting league per match.
Shah was instrumental in hosting the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which became the most attended cricket tournament in history, and has been a driving force behind cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympics. His predecessors from India include Jagmohan Dalmiya and Sharad Pawar as ICC Presidents and N Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar as ICC Chairmen.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
