Jay Shah elected unopposed as ICC chairman

Shah, who has served as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019, will now relinquish his BCCI position to focus on his new responsibilities at the ICC

PHOTO: AFP

Jay Shah has been elected as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), taking over from Greg Barclay on December 1.

At 35, Shah becomes the youngest to lead the ICC, stepping into the role after an unopposed election as no other nominations were submitted against him.

Shah, who has served as the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2019, will now relinquish his BCCI position to focus on his new responsibilities at the ICC.

Shah’s term as ICC Chairman will span three years, with the possibility of an extension for an additional three years. The ICC confirmed that Shah was the sole nominee, with several sets of nominations filed on his behalf by the 16 current directors, in accordance with the organization's rules.

Among Shah’s immediate priorities is appointing a new Independent Woman Director for the ICC, following the conclusion of Indra Nooyi’s tenure. Additionally, Shah will address Disney Star's request to renegotiate a major $3 billion broadcast deal. He also faces the challenge of ensuring a smooth leadership transition at the BCCI by selecting a suitable successor for the Secretary role.

In a statement, Shah expressed his commitment to expanding the global reach of cricket, particularly as the sport prepares for its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He emphasized the importance of balancing various formats, adopting advanced technologies, and introducing marquee events to new markets.

"I am humbled by the nomination as the Chair of the International Cricket Council," Shah stated. "I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize 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."

The ICC welcomed Shah's election, viewing it as a new chapter in the organization’s efforts to expand cricket’s global footprint and continue its evolution.