Jay Shah, a prominent figure in the world of cricket, is emerging as a leading candidate for the role of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Shah, whose tenure as BCCI General Secretary has cemented India’s dominance in international cricket, is reportedly likely to succeed Greg Barclay in this pivotal role.
Barclay, the current ICC Chair, confirmed via video conference that he will not seek a third term and will vacate the position at the end of November.
His decision to step down follows ongoing tensions, including a significant $4.46 billion dispute with major broadcast rights holder Star, as reported by The Age.
Sources indicate that Shah has already secured backing from key cricketing nations, including Australia and England, in his bid for the ICC chairmanship.
If elected, he is likely to serve a minimum of three years.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed that Greg Barclay will step down as ICC Chair at the end of his current term in November, choosing not to stand for re-election. Appointed in November 2020 and re-elected in 2022, Barclay will complete his tenure at that time.
The spokesperson further added that current ICC directors must submit nominations for the new chair by August 27, 2024. If multiple candidates are nominated, an election will occur, with the new chair’s term starting on 1 December 2024.
If elected, Shah would join the ranks of Indian predecessors Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) who have previously led the ICC.
Meanwhile, Shah’s current role as BCCI General Secretary extends until 2025, after which he will enter a mandatory three-year cooling-off period.
To secure the chairmanship, Shah will need to achieve at least nine votes from the 16-member council, equating to a 51% majority.
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