DUBAI: Jay Shah, former honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took over as president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.
Amid the Champions Trophy 2025 standoff between India and Pakistan, Shah’s arrival at the ICC office is likely to be significant in making a final decision on holding the extravaganza.
In his first statement as ICC President, Shah expressed gratitude to the ICC Directors and member councils for their support.
“I am honored to assume the role of ICC President and grateful for the trust placed in me. This is an exciting time for the sport as we prepare for the LA28 Olympic Games and work to make cricket more inclusive and engaging for fans around the world,” he said.
The 35-year-old emphasized taking advantage of cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerating the growth of women’s football.
“We are at a critical moment with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of women’s football.
“Cricket has immense potential globally and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and member countries to harness these opportunities and take the sport to new heights.”
Shah’s cricket administration journey began in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association, where he played a key role in the development of the largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. In 2019, he joined BCCI as Honorary Secretary.
‘Partnership Formula’ for the 2025 Champions Trophy
The ICC is considering a ‘partnership formula’ to end the impasse between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI regarding the holding of the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in the February-March window next year.
As per the new formula, Pakistan will also not play its matches in India during ICC events for the next three years. Dubai is most likely to be the neutral venue for both teams under the expected new deal. India is scheduled to host three ICC events during this period, including the 2025 Women’s World Cup, co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka and the 2027 Champions Trophy.
Details were further disclosed that cricket’s apex body has advised the BCCI to accept the aforementioned model in a bid to avoid legal action from Pakistan and also to resolve the issue without a vote.
