Jay Shah, the newly elected chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), officially began his tenure on Sunday, becoming the youngest person to hold the role. At 36, Shah succeeds Greg Barclay of New Zealand, having been elected unopposed in August.
In a statement, Shah expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the ICC directors and member boards. He also highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead for cricket, particularly with the LA28 Olympic Games on the horizon, and emphasized efforts to make the sport more inclusive and appealing to a global audience.
Before becoming ICC chair, Shah held several prominent positions, including chair of the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee, president of the Asian Cricket Council, and secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
One of the key issues Shah faces is the ongoing dispute over the venue for the 2024 Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted on hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan, while the BCCI has stated that the Indian government has not approved travel to Pakistan for its team, given that India has not toured the country since the 2008 Asia Cup. This stalemate comes amid growing tensions over sharing hosting duties, following India’s successful hosting of the 2023 World Cup.
