Indian cricket administrator Jay Shah has been appointed as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a recent announcement. Shah, who currently serves as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will now take on the prestigious role at the top of the organization.
With over 15 years of experience in the sport, Shah has climbed to the highest echelons of cricket administration. He will be taking over from the outgoing chairman Greg Barclay starting on December 1, 2024.
Shah’s election as the youngest ICC chairman was uncontested, with no other candidates vying for the position.
Did Pakistan Cricket Board Support Jay Shah?
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board chose to abstain from voting during the election process. Despite this, Shah received strong backing from prominent cricketing boards such as the ECB, CA, and the West Indies Cricket Board.
“There was no communication from PCB. However, Shah had overwhelming support from other members. The Pakistan board decided to remain neutral throughout the proceedings,” a source revealed.
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What Will Be Jay Shah’s First Major Event as ICC Chairman?
Jay Shah’s inaugural major event as ICC chairman will be the revival of the Champions Trophy, a highly anticipated 50-over tournament. The tournament is set to take place in Pakistan, marking the country’s first hosting of an ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup.
Shah has advocated for a hybrid model of tournament organization, as seen in the joint hosting of the 2023 Asia Cup by Sri Lanka and Pakistan under his leadership in the Asian Cricket Council. There are discussions about hosting the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, with Pakistan playing most of their matches at home except for the clash against India, which is likely to be held in the UAE.
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