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Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), making history as the youngest individual to hold the position at just 35 years old. The announcement was made on Tuesday (August 27), with Shah set to officially assume his role on December 1, 2024, succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who opted not to seek a third term.
Jay Shah: The fifth Indian to lead the ICC
Shah, who has served as the honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and as chair of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since January 2021, emerged as the sole candidate for the chairmanship after Barclay confirmed he would not pursue a third term. His election marks a significant moment for Indian cricket, as he becomes the fifth Indian to lead the ICC, following in the footsteps of notable figures such as Jagmohan Dalmiya (president), Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan and Shahank Manohar.
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“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalise cricket”: Shah
In a statement following the election, Shah expressed his commitment to enhancing the global profile and popularity of cricket. “I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council,” he said in an ICC release. “I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalise cricket. We stand at a critical juncture where it is increasingly important to balance the coexistence of multiple formats, promote the adoption of advanced technologies, and introduce our marquee events to new global markets. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”
Shah highlighted the upcoming inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as a crucial milestone for the sport’s global expansion. “While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant inflection point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident that it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways,” he added.
Shah’s election comes at a time when the ICC is navigating various challenges, including the need to protect the future of Test cricket and address the complexities of international cricket amidst the rise of franchise leagues. With his extensive experience in cricket administration, Shah’s leadership is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to the global cricketing landscape.
