Jay Shah promises special focus on Test and women’s cricket as new ICC chairman

The new Chairman of the ICC (International Cricket Council), Jay Shah, has vowed to preserve the value of Test cricket and the grow women’s cricket during his time at the helm of the global cricketing body. Notably, Shah assumed the role of Chairman on Sunday, December 1 as he took over the reins from Greg Barclay after being elected unopposed in August earlier this year.

Shah will leave his role as the honorary secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), which he assumed in 2019, as he becomes the new head of the ICC. In a statement posted on his X account, Shah mentioned how the sport of cricket is in its transformative phase and said that he is honoured to work with all the members of the board to grow the game’s popularity across the world.

“I am deeply honoured to begin my role as ICC Chair today. Cricket is a sport that unites millions across the globe, and this is a moment of immense responsibility and opportunity. As we enter a transformative phase for cricket, I am committed to working closely with the ICC team and Member countries to grow the game’s global footprint and create new avenues for its development,” posted Shah on his X account.

Further ahead, the new ICC chair expressed his respect for the longest format of the game and also mentioned how Test cricket and the women’s game will remain a cornerstone of their growth strategy.

“From grassroots initiatives to marquee events, my vision is to make cricket accessible to more people while ensuring its evolution meets the aspirations of fans worldwide. Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game, and I am dedicated to preserving its stature while enhancing its appeal to fans. Simultaneously, women’s cricket will be a cornerstone of our growth strategy as we take the sport to new horizons,” he added.

Shah has vast experience in cricket administration having started his journey in 2009 with the Gujarat Cricket Association. During his tenure, he also oversaw the development of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Shah became the youngest ever honorary secretary of the BCCI 2019.

During his tenure at the BCCI, Shah brought several new reforms for the development of the game, such as supporting women’s cricket by introducing equal pay as their male counterparts and formulation of the Women’s Premier League.

He also encouraged youngster to play more domestic cricket with the introduction of new incentive schemes and increase in match fees and the cash prizes for each game. Furthermore, Shah also began a Test cricket incentive scheme earlier this year to keep the interest of the youngsters alive in the oldest format of the game.