Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the brand new chairman of the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), making historical past because the youngest particular person to carry the place at simply 35 years previous. The announcement was made on Tuesday (August 27), with Shah set to formally assume his position on December 1, 2024, succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who opted to not search a 3rd time period.

Jay Shah: The fifth Indian to steer the ICC

Shah, who has served because the honorary secretary of the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) since October 2019 and as chair of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) since January 2021, emerged as the only candidate for the chairmanship after Barclay confirmed he wouldn’t pursue a 3rd time period. His election marks a big second for Indian cricket, as he turns into the fifth Indian to steer the ICC, following within the footsteps of notable figures equivalent to Jagmohan Dalmiya (president), Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan and Shahank Manohar.

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“I’m dedicated to working carefully with the ICC group and our member nations to additional globalise cricket”: Shah

In a press release following the election, Shah expressed his dedication to enhancing the worldwide profile and recognition of cricket. “I’m humbled by the nomination because the Chair of the Worldwide Cricket Council,” he mentioned in an ICC launch. “I’m dedicated to working carefully with the ICC group and our member nations to additional globalise cricket. We stand at a vital juncture the place it’s more and more vital to steadiness the coexistence of a number of codecs, promote the adoption of superior applied sciences, and introduce our marquee occasions to new world markets. Our aim is to make cricket extra inclusive and well-liked than ever earlier than.”

Shah highlighted the upcoming inclusion of cricket within the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as an important milestone for the game’s world enlargement. “Whereas we are going to construct on the precious classes realized, we should additionally embrace contemporary considering and innovation to raise the love for cricket worldwide. The inclusion of our sport within the Olympics at LA 2028 represents a big inflection level for the expansion of cricket, and I’m assured that it’s going to drive the game ahead in unprecedented methods,” he added.

Shah’s election comes at a time when the ICC is navigating numerous challenges, together with the necessity to defend the way forward for Take a look at cricket and tackle the complexities of worldwide cricket amidst the rise of franchise leagues. Along with his in depth expertise in cricket administration, Shah’s management is anticipated to carry contemporary views and methods to the worldwide cricketing panorama.

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