Jay Shah to take over as ICC chief in November

Srinagar, Aug 21: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah is said to replace the present chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Greg Barclay in November this year, NDTV reported.

Barclay, as per NDTV sources has told the directors at the ICC and Cricket Australia's chairman Mike Baird over the video conference that he (Barclay) has no intention to run for the post for the third time.

Barclay's decision comes after being told about Jay Shah's intentions to replace him in November. Shah is backed by cricket boards from England and Australia, thus, having numbers to be crowned as the next ICC chief.

Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997 to 2000) and Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) are the only two Indians who have held the position of ICC's chief in the past. Shah, who is also the son of India's Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, will become the third to do so after he officially replaces Barclay in November.

"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," an ICC spokesperson told The Age.

"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."

As per ICC rules, the chairman's election comprises of 16 votes and now a simple majority of nine votes is required (51%) for the winner. Earlier, to become the chairman, the incumbent needed to have two-third majority.

He enjoys a lot of goodwill with most of the 16 voting members. Currently, Shah has another one year left as the BCCI secretary before going on a mandatory cooling off period of three years from October, 2025.

As per the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court, an office bearer can stay for six before he needs to go for a cooling off of three years. In all, a person can stay in office for a cumulative period of 18 years, -- nine in state association and nine in BCCI.

If Shah decides to move to ICC with a year of his secretary-ship still left, he will have four years left in the BCCI.

At 35, he will become the youngest chairman in the history of ICC.