Jay Shah, the newly elected Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has outlined his priorities for his tenure, focusing on elevating Test cricket and promoting women’s cricket. Shah, who will officially assume the role on December 1, has stressed the importance of maintaining the status of Test cricket as the foundation of the sport while also advancing the ICC’s mission to support other formats and segments of the game.
One of Shah’s foremost challenges will be ensuring the continued success and relevance of Test cricket. This includes completing the ICC World Test Championship on schedule, as achieved in the first two tournaments. Additionally, he will need to deal with the challenge of the growing allure of T20 cricket, which has captivated players worldwide and drawn them toward domestic T20 leagues, often at the expense of longer formats.
Shah acknowledged the popularity of T20 cricket, stating, “T20 is an exciting format, but it is equally important that Test cricket remains a priority for everyone, as it is the basis of our game.” He emphasized the need to keep players interested in Test cricket and declared that efforts will be directed towards making it an attractive format for both players and fans.
Shah also highlighted the need to increase attention and resources towards women’s cricket and Divyang cricket. He stated, “We should take the ICC’s mission forward by paying more attention to women’s cricket and disabled cricket and providing more resources.”
At 35, Shah will succeed Greg Barclay as ICC President, taking on a role that places him at the center of global cricket administration. His plans include not only strengthening Test cricket but also ensuring that the ICC provides adequate support and resources for women’s and Divyang cricket. His leadership will focus on maintaining the balance between different formats of the game and promoting inclusivity at all levels of cricket.
