The International Cricket Council (ICC) today officially welcomed Jay Shah as its new Chair, marking the beginning of his tenure in a pivotal moment for the sport. In his inaugural statement, Shah emphasized his commitment to leveraging cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, highlighting the opportunity to elevate the sport’s global appeal, while also focusing on accelerating the growth of women’s cricket.
“I am honoured to take on the role of ICC Chair and grateful for the support and trust of the ICC Directors and Member Boards,” said Shah. “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 worldwide. We are at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats and the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game. Cricket holds immense potential globally, and I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to seize these opportunities and take the sport to new heights.”
Shah brings a wealth of experience in cricket administration. His journey began in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association, where he was instrumental in the development of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. In 2019, he made history as the youngest-ever Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), further cementing his influence in the sport.
Beyond his work with the BCCI, Shah has played key roles in various cricketing bodies, serving as President of the Asian Cricket Council and as Chair of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee. His deep involvement in both administrative and commercial aspects of cricket positions him well to guide the sport’s growth on the global stage.
Shah succeeds Greg Barclay, who served as ICC Chair from November 2020. Shah acknowledged Barclay’s significant contributions to the ICC’s achievements over the past four years, expressing gratitude for his leadership.
“I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period,” Shah said. “I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the Member countries to expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”
As ICC Chair, Shah is set to steer the organization through a period of transformation, with a focus on expanding the game’s influence worldwide and capitalizing on the upcoming Olympic opportunity. With women’s cricket on the rise and the sport’s increasing global appeal, Shah’s leadership marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the sport.
