Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been elected unopposed as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to an official announcement made by the ICC on Tuesday. Shah will officially assume his new role on December 1, 2024, succeeding Greg Barclay, who has opted not to seek another term.
At just 35 years old, Shah will become the youngest chairman in the history of the ICC. His election to this prestigious position comes after serving as BCCI’s honorary secretary since October 2019 and as the chair of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021. Shah’s election was uncontested, making him the sole nominee for the role following Barclay’s decision not to continue.
Shah expressed his gratitude and outlined his vision for the future of cricket upon his election. He emphasized the importance of expanding cricket’s global reach, especially as the sport is set to be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Shah’s focus will be on balancing the coexistence of various cricket formats, adopting advanced technologies, and introducing marquee events to new global markets.
In his statement, Shah highlighted the critical moment cricket finds itself in, stressing the need for innovation and fresh thinking to elevate the sport’s popularity worldwide. He views the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics as a significant opportunity to drive the sport’s growth in new and unprecedented ways.
Shah’s term as BCCI secretary is set to expire next year, and his appointment as ICC chairman comes amid uncertainty regarding India’s participation in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from February to March 2025. This adds an additional layer of intrigue to Shah’s new role, given the complex dynamics of cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.
Shah’s leadership is expected to shape the future of international cricket significantly, as he steps into this critical role at a young age, bringing with him a modern and ambitious vision for the sport’s global development.
