Jay Shah elected unopposed as ICC chairman, reveals priorities in new role
One of the biggest challenges in front of Jay Shah will be to ensure the ongoing success of Test cricket.
Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the BCCI, has been elected unopposed as the ICC Chairman and will assume his position on December 1, 2024. It came a few days after the announcement that the current ICC Chair Greg Barclay would not seek a third term and would step down after his tenure in November.
Jay Shah, who was the only nominee for the chairmanship, emphasized his commitment to expanding the global reach and popularity of cricket, especially with the upcoming inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
Meanwhile, one of the biggest challenges in front of Jay Shah will be to ensure the ongoing success of Test cricket and build on the momentum that it has already achieved through the first two full cycles of the ICC World Test Championship.
“I want to assure you that I will do everything possible to elevate the standard of our game across the globe. As I step into this pivotal role, I am resolutely committed to meeting your high expectations and dedicating myself to the beautiful game of cricket," he said.
"While the T20 is a naturally exciting format, it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone as it forms the bedrock of our game. We must see to it that cricketers are driven to longer format and our efforts will be channelized towards this goal," he added.
"We must champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to women’s cricket and differently-abled cricket," Shah said, adding "Together, we can empower these essential facets of the sport, making them not just visible but vibrant and thriving."