There has been no indication from Jay Shah or the ICC that he is running for chairman. Nominations for the position are due by August 27.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah is poised to become the next ICC chairman, according to reports. The Australian publication ‘The Age’ has suggested that Shah is set to take over the role after the current chairman, Greg Barclay, announced his decision not to seek a third term.
According to two anonymous sources familiar with the talks, the BCCI secretary has secured support from Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and other full-time members for the proposed move. The decision was reached late Tuesday night.
There’s been no official word from either Shah or the ICC about a potential bid for the chairmanship. The deadline for nominations is August 27. Barclay, a New Zealand attorney, has been chairman for four years.
ICC Chair Greg Barclay announced today that he will not seek re-election at the end of his current term in November 2024. After serving two consecutive terms, Barclay will step down from his role as the Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council.
Barclay, who was appointed to the position in November 2020, has overseen significant developments within the ICC during his tenure. His leadership has been instrumental in driving various initiatives aimed at promoting the growth and sustainability of cricket worldwide.
According to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revised regulations, the election for the chairman now requires only a simple majority of nine votes (51% of the total 16 votes) to secure the position. This marks a significant change from the previous requirement of a two-thirds majority, which had been in place for some time.
The current directors are under mandate to submit nominations for the upcoming Chair position by August 27, 2024. Should multiple candidates emerge, a formal election process will be initiated to determine the new Chair. The successful nominee will assume their duties on December 1, 2024.
Jay Shah, a prominent figure within the ICC, wields significant influence on the board’s decisions. As the chair of the influential Finance and Commercial Affairs sub-committee, he oversees crucial financial matters for the organization.
His reputation for fairness and effectiveness has earned him the respect of many of the ICC’s 16 voting members. This goodwill, coupled with his expertise, positions him as a key player in shaping the future of cricket.
While Shah’s tenure as BCCI secretary is set to conclude in October 2025, he will then be required to take a mandatory three-year cooling-off period. This means that his influence on Indian cricket may temporarily wane, though his impact on the global game is likely to endure.
The Supreme Court-approved BCCI constitution imposes a term limit of six years on office-bearers, followed by a cooling-off period of three years. This pattern allows for a maximum cumulative tenure of 18 years, divided between state associations and the national body.
Jay Shah Could Make History as ICC’s Most Youthful Head :
If Jay Shah decide to step away from the BCCI with a year remaining in his term, he would have four years left to potentially lead the ICC. At the age of 35, he could become the youngest-ever chairman of the International Cricket Council. This would put him in the esteemed company of previous Indian ICC heads like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
