Jay Shah will step down from the post of ICC
Jay Shah’s decision to contest for the ICC chairman post will be announced on August 27, the last date for filing nominations. Greg Barclay on Tuesday decided that he will step down as ICC chairman on November 30 after the end of his third term. The development has led to speculation that BCCI secretary Jay Shah could take over the post in the future.
Shah’s decision to contest for the ICC chairman post will be announced on August 27, the last date for filing nominations. The ICC chairman is eligible for three terms of two years each and Barclay has already completed four years.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay confirms to board
ICC chairman Greg Barclay confirmed to the board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down when his current term ends at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the independent ICC chairman in November 2020, ahead of being re-elected in 2022, the ICC said in a media release.
The current directors are now required to submit nominations for the next chairman by August 27, 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new chairman starting on December 1, 2024.
As per ICC’s chairman rules, the election consists of 16 votes, and hence a simple majority of nine votes (51%) is required for the winner, whereas as per the earlier rule, the incumbent was required to have a two-thirds majority. Shah, who currently heads ICC’s all-powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) subcommittee, is one of the most influential men in cricket administration, and is highly respected by most of the 16 voting members.
Jay Shah on the verge of making history
At just 35, Shah could become the youngest ICC president ever, thus joining the list of Indians like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan and Shashank Manohar who have led the ICC in the past.
However, as per the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court, any office-bearer can hold the post for six years, after which he has to go on cooling off for three years. Overall, one can hold the post for a total of 18 years – nine years in a state association and nine in the BCCI. If Shah decides to move to the ICC with one year left in his secretary position, he will have four years left in the BCCI.
ICC chairman Greg Barclay has confirmed to the board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down when his current term ends at the end of November. Barclay was appointed as the independent ICC chairman in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022,” ICC said in a media release.
Simple majority of nine votes for winner
As per ICC rules, the election of chairman involves 16 votes and now a simple majority of nine votes (51%) is required for the winner. Earlier, to become chairman, the incumbent chairman was required to have a two-thirds majority.
The current directors are now required to submit nominations for the next chairman by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, the election will be held with the term of the new chairman starting on 1 December 2024. Shah is considered one of the most influential faces in the ICC board room. He currently heads the ICC’s most powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee.
He has a very good relationship with most of the 16 voting members. Currently, Shah has one more year left as BCCI secretary, after which he will have to take over as BCCI secretary. Will have to go on a mandatory cooling off period of three years from October, 2025.
As per the approved BCCI constitution
As per the BCCI constitution approved by the Supreme Court, an office-bearer can hold the post for six years before the three-year cooling off period. In all, one can hold the post for a total of 18 years, – nine in the state association and nine in the BCCI. If Shah decides to move to the ICC with one year left in his secretaryship, he will have four years left in the BCCI.
Conclusion
Current ICC chairman Greg Barclay on Tuesday opted out of a third term after the expiry of his term on November 30, triggering speculation over BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s future at the sport’s governing body.
Whether Shah will put his candidature for the post or not will become clear on August 27, which is the last date for filing nominations for the chairman’s post. The ICC chairman is eligible to serve three terms of two years each and Barclay, a New Zealand-based lawyer, has so far completed four years.
