Jay Shah to become next ICC chairman?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is gearing up for its annual conference in Colombo, scheduled to take place from July 19 to 22.

While the conference will discuss range topics, the election for the chairman position will not be on the agenda.

Instead, the election has been slated for November, giving Jay Shah, a prominent candidate, a three-month window to consider his potential bid.

Shah, currently the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been tight-lipped about his interest in the chairman role, currently held by Greg Barclay. Barclay, who has been in the position for the past four years, may seek re-election, but Shah’s candidacy is expected to be unopposed if he chooses to run.

The ICC has recently revised the chairman’s tenure, extending it from three terms of two years each to two terms of three years each. If elected, Jay Shah will serve a three-year term, potentially paving the way for him to become the BCCI president in 2028, as per the BCCI constitution.

Speculation has been rife about Shah’s potential role in the ICC, with some reports suggesting he may push for the relocation of the ICC headquarters from Dubai to Mumbai.

However, this is not a priority on his agenda. Instead, Jay Shah is believed to be focused on implementing changes within the ICC, particularly in the wake of the recent chaotic conduct of the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.

With less than a year remaining in the ICC Champions Trophy, the likely schedule of the tournament has been making rounds on social media.

As per the schedule, Pakistan are set to lock horns against New Zealand in the opening fixture of the tournament, which will be played at National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Apart from that the stadium will also host a game between Afghanistan and South Africa and one of the semifinals.

The hosts will play Bangladesh on February 24 in Rawalpindi. The blockbuster game between Pakistan and India will be played in Lahore on March 01.

Another highly-anticipated clash between England and Australia will be played in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 22.

Semifinals will be played on March 5 and 6 in Karachi and Rawalpindi respectively. Lahore will host the final on March 09.

ICC Champions Trophy 2024 proposed schedule

Feb 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Karachi

Feb 20: Bangladesh vs India – Lahore

Feb 21: Afghanistan vs South Africa – Karachi

Feb 22: Australia vs England – Lahore

Feb 23: New Zealand vs India – Lahore

Feb 24: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Rawalpindi

Feb 25: Afghanistan vs England – Lahore

Feb 26:  Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi

Feb 27: Bangladesh vs New Zealand – Lahore

Feb 28: Afghanistan vs Australia – Rawalpindi

Mar 1: Pakistan vs India – Lahore

Mar 2: South Africa vs England – Rawalpindi

Mar 5 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Karachi

Mar 6 Semi-final: TBC vs TBC – Rawalpindi

Mar 9 Final: TBC vs TBC – Lahore