BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is on track to become the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to a report by The Age on Wednesday. This development follows current ICC Chairman Greg Barclays decision to forgo a third term, ending his tenure on November 30.Barclay Steps Down Amid DisputeThe resignation of Greg Barclay, who has been at the helm since November 2020, comes amid a $3 billion dispute between the ICC and its major broadcast rights holder, Star. Sources close to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Barclays exit was confirmed late Tuesday night.Shahs Endorsement and Election ProcessJay Shah, who is currently the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has reportedly secured support from Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and other full-time members of the ICC. While no official confirmation has been made by Shah or the ICC, the deadline for filing nominations is August 27.Under ICC rules, the chairman is eligible for three two-year terms. Barclay, a New Zealand attorney, has completed four years and will step down at the end of November. The election for the new chairman requires a simple majority of nine out of sixteen votes, a change from the previous two-thirds majority requirement.Shahs Prospects and ICC RoleShah, currently leading the ICCs Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee, is well-regarded among the 16 voting members. He has a year remaining in his role as BCCI Secretary before entering a mandatory three-year cooling-off period in October 2025. According to the BCCI constitution, an office bearer can serve for up to six years before requiring a cooling-off period, with a total cumulative tenure of 18 years across state associations and the BCCI.Meanwhile, experts also believe that at just 35 years old, Jay Shah has the potential to become the youngest chairman in ICC history, joining the ranks of past Indian leaders such as Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
