On Tuesday, Jay Shah was unanimously elected as the independent chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Currently serving as the honorary secretary of the BCCI, Shah will officially assume his new role on 1 December 2024. Following his election, Shah, who was the only candidate for the position, reiterated his dedication to expanding cricket’s global reach, particularly with the sport’s upcoming inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics.
Although Shah was elected without opposition, a report by news18.com has shed light on some behind-the-scenes details from the ICC meeting. According to the report, the ICC has 16 members, and during the nomination process, Shah had the backing of 15 of them. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly remained a ‘mute spectator.’
“There wasn’t any word from PCB. Not that it was needed, as Shah had overwhelming support from the members. But the Pakistan board chose to play the role of a spectator throughout the entire process,” a source was quoted in the report.
After his election, Jay Shah expressed his gratitude: “I am humbled by the nomination as Chair of the International Cricket Council.
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“I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further globalize cricket. We are at a critical juncture where balancing the coexistence of multiple formats, promoting the adoption of advanced technologies, and introducing our marquee events to new global markets is increasingly important. Our goal is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”
“While we will build on the valuable lessons learned, we must also embrace fresh thinking and innovation to elevate the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport in the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a significant turning point for the growth of cricket, and I am confident it will drive the sport forward in unprecedented ways.”