More Problems For Pakistan Cricket Board? ICC Chairman's Big Move Shifts The Spotlight On Jay Shah

Champions Trophy 2025: The Pakistan Cricket Board is currently in a huge turmoil. The PCB is under a lot of scrutiny regarding the upcoming CT 2025 and there is no clarity about India's participation in the upcoming ICC tournament. Pakistan were also the hosts of the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup, but it was played in the 'hybrid' model in order to host India. The 'Men in Blue' played all their Asia Cup 2023 matches in Sri Lanka.

Jay Shah Strong Contender To Become ICC President

Jay Shah has been doing some impeccable work at the BCCI. Under his and BCCI President Roger Binny's supervision, the Indian cricket team won the ICC men's T20 World Cup for the second time since the inaugural World T20 played in 2007. Current ICC chairman Greg Barclay on Tuesday opted out of a third term following the end of his tenure on November 30, fuelling speculations on BCCI secretary Jay Shah's future at the sport's governing body.

Whether Shah will be interested to throw his hat in the ring will be clear by August 27, the last date for filing nominations for the chairman's post.

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An ICC chairman is eligible for three terms of two years each and Barclay, a New Zealand-based attorney, has so far completed four years. While Jay Shah was the President of the Asian Cricket Council, the BCCI pushed for a ‘hybrid’ model in the previous edition of the Asia Cup owing the continued security issues in Pakistan.

Barclay Will Not Stand For Third Term: ICC

"ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022," the ICC stated in a media release.

As per ICC rules, the chairman's election comprises of 16 votes and now a simple majority of nine votes is required (51%) for the winner. Earlier, to become the chairman, the incumbent needed to have two-third majority.

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"Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024." Shah is considered as one of the most influential faces in the ICC board room. He is currently the head of ICC's all-powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee.

He enjoys a lot of goodwill with most of the 16 voting members. Currently, Shah has another one year left as the BCCI secretary before going on a mandatory cooling off period of three years from October, 2025.

(With PTI Inputs)