Jay Shah, the BCCI’s secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the ICC after being elected without opposition. He will take over the role from Greg Barclay on December 1, 2024.

At 35, Shah becomes the youngest person to hold this position within the ICC, having been elected unchallenged due to the absence of other nominations.

The ICC, which currently comprises 16 members, has no female representation. During the nomination process, Shah secured the backing of 15 of these members, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chose not to express any opinion.

According to sources, despite receiving strong support from major cricket boards like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA), the PCB remained passive throughout the process.

“PCB didn’t make any statements. Although their input wasn’t necessary due to the widespread support for Shah, they opted to observe without participating,” a News18 report noted.

Shah highlighted his dedication to expanding cricket’s reach and increasing its popularity, particularly with the sport’s inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve as the ICC Chair,” Shah stated. “I am eager to collaborate closely with the ICC team and our member nations to further the global growth of cricket. We are at a pivotal moment, where it is crucial to balance the coexistence of various formats, encourage the adoption of new technologies, and introduce our flagship events to new audiences worldwide. Our aim is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before.”

“While we will build on the valuable lessons we’ve learned, it’s equally important to welcome fresh ideas and innovation to elevate the sport globally. Cricket’s inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics is a critical milestone for the sport’s expansion, and I am confident that it will propel cricket forward in ways we’ve never seen before,” he added.