The incumbent secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, is set to embark on a challenging journey as he takes the helm as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah was elected unopposed, taking over from Greg Barclay, but his three-year tenure promises to be rife with challenges that will require his immediate and undivided attention.
First on Shah’s agenda is ensuring the smooth conduct of the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan in early 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to host the tournament between February and March, but security concerns loom large due to the country’s ongoing issues with terrorism. Extremist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi continue to pose significant threats, making the safety of players and attendees a paramount concern.
Pakistan’s troubled history with hosting international cricket events adds to these concerns. The country has not hosted an ICC event since the 1996 ODI World Cup, largely due to security threats. The repercussions of the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, where players like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara sustained injuries, and six security personnel were killed, continue to haunt the PCB. The more recent cancellations by the New Zealand and England cricket teams in 2021 due to similar security issues underline the gravity of the situation Shah will have to address.
India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy remains another contentious issue. The Indian cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008, following deteriorating political relations between the two nations. It seems unlikely that the Indian government will permit the Men in Blue to travel to Pakistan in 2025. If India cannot participate in Pakistan, the ICC will need to identify alternative venues for India’s matches, adding logistical complexities to an already delicate situation. This dilemma poses a significant test for Shah’s leadership early in his tenure.
Besides the Champions Trophy, another pressing concern for Shah is the increasingly contentious revenue-sharing model within the ICC. Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave has decried the inequitable distribution of revenue among cricket boards, warning of dire consequences if the system is not revamped. Smaller cricketing nations like the West Indies and South Africa have been particularly vocal about the need for a more balanced approach to revenue sharing to sustain the global cricketing community. The imbalanced revenue model was highlighted when South Africa sent a second-string squad to New Zealand for a Test series, prioritizing their more profitable domestic T20 tournament, SA20, instead.
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The ramifications of this broken revenue model extend to the overall health of Test cricket. International legends like Steve Waugh have expressed concern that sending weaker teams for Test series undermines the very essence of Test cricket. Countries like Pakistan, West Indies, and South Africa are witnessing dwindling audiences for Test matches, reflecting a broader disinterest in this traditional format. Empty stands are becoming a common sight, threatening the future of Test cricket.
ODI cricket is also suffering from declining interest. Once the only white-ball format, ODIs have lost their sheen with the rise of T20 cricket. Experts argue that bilateral ODI series now offer little in terms of viewer engagement or commercial viability. This decline poses another significant challenge for Shah, particularly with the 2027 ODI World Cup being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. While South Africa and Zimbabwe might attract reasonable crowds, Namibia’s capacity to draw similar interest remains uncertain, posing another logistical and promotional challenge.
Perhaps the most formidable task for Shah will be balancing the proliferation of T20 franchise leagues with the interests of international cricket. The growing popularity of T20 leagues is siphoning attention and resources away from international cricket. Star players like Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran have declined central contracts to pursue more lucrative opportunities in T20 leagues, impacting the quality and appeal of international cricket.
Therefore, Shah must navigate a complex landscape, ensuring that T20 leagues can flourish without marginalizing the traditional formats of the game. He will need to devise a strategy that allows franchise tournaments to grow while maintaining the relevance and prestige of international cricket. This balancing act will be essential to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure its growth on the global stage.
As Jay Shah steps into his role as ICC chairman, he faces a confluence of challenges. From ensuring the safe hosting of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan to addressing the inequitable revenue model and balancing T20 leagues with international formats, Shah’s tenure promises to be anything but smooth sailing. However, his ability to navigate these issues will shape the future of cricket for years to come.
