The current chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Greg Barclay, has officially announced that he will not be seeking a third term, stepping down from his position at the end of his current tenure on November 30. This decision has ignited considerable speculation regarding the potential candidacy of Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as the next ICC Chairman.
The deadline for submitting nominations for the chairman’s post is set for Tuesday, August 27. The ICC released a statement confirming Barclay’s decision: “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 statement further elaborated, “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.”
The election process for the ICC Chairman involves 16 votes where the candidate securing a majority of nine votes is declared the winner. Should Jay Shah decide to run and subsequently win the election, he would become the fifth Indian to hold the esteemed position of ICC Chairman. The individuals who have previously held this prestigious role are Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
Currently, Shah is at the helm of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee. He has one year remaining in his tenure as the BCCI Secretary before he must observe a mandatory cooling-off period of three years starting in October 2025. The BCCI’s constitution, as approved by the Supreme Court of India, stipulates that a BCCI official can serve in office for six years before undertaking a cooling-off period. Shah has nearly completed his five-year term as the secretary of the BCCI.
The cricketing world is buzzing with conversation and speculation about Shah’s potential candidacy and the impact it could bring to the ICC.
. Many believe that placing the ICC chair in the hands of someone from the BCCI, given India’s significant influence and financial clout in international cricket, could usher in a new era of governance and strategic development for the sport.
As per recent developments, Jay Shah has not officially confirmed whether he will file for the nomination. The cricket community remains on tenterhooks, as his decision could significantly influence the future direction of the ICC, especially given his role in various capacities within cricket administration.
Greg Barclay, during his tenure, has been lauded for his balanced approach and efforts to unify the cricketing world. Appointed as the independent chairman in November 2020, he played a crucial role in navigating the organization through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recovery phase. His re-election in 2022 further affirmed the trust and confidence the ICC board members had in his leadership.
Barclay’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for the ICC. The forthcoming election will not only decide his successor but will also set the tone for future administrative strategies and policies within cricket’s global governing body. Whether Jay Shah steps forward or another candidate emerges, the upcoming months are set to be a pivotal period for the international cricket community.
The cricketing fraternity will keenly watch the nomination and election process unfold, with hopes pinned on progressive leadership that can handle the evolving dynamics of the sport. The transition of leadership at the ICC is expected to reverberate through the cricketing world, affecting bilateral series, new tournament formats, and overall financial structures.
As Greg Barclay prepares to step down, the baton is set to be passed on, potentially to another influential figure in Jay Shah. The anticipation and excitement surrounding the election are palpable, promising an intriguing race for the coveted position of ICC Chairman.
