Greg Barclay, the current chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has announced that he will not seek a third term when his tenure ends on November 30. This development has sparked speculation about the future of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah within the sport's governing body. The decision on whether Shah will be a candidate for the chairman's position will be known by August 27, the final date for filing nominations.
Barclay, a New Zealand-based attorney, has served as ICC Chairman since November 2020 and was re-elected in 2022. The role allows for a maximum of three terms, each lasting two years. With Barclay completing four years, the position is now open for a new candidate.
The ICC has announced that the chairman's election requires 16 votes, with a simple majority of nine (51%) needed to win. Previously, a two-thirds majority was required.
"ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November," the ICC stated in a media release. "Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022."
Nominations for the new ICC Chairman must be submitted by August 27, 2024. If multiple candidates are proposed, an election will be held, with the new chairman's term starting on December 1, 2024.
Jay Shah, currently the head of the ICC's influential Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) sub-committee, is seen as a key figure in the ICC. He enjoys significant support from the 16 voting members. Shah has one year remaining in his role as BCCI Secretary before entering a mandatory three-year cooling-off period starting in October 2025. According to the BCCI constitution, office bearers can serve for a maximum of six years before a cooling-off period, with a total cumulative period of 18 years allowed—nine years at the state association level and nine years with the BCCI.
If Shah chooses to pursue the ICC chairmanship, he would still have four years remaining in his tenure with the BCCI. At 35, he could potentially become the youngest chairman in ICC history. Previous Indian ICC Chairmen include Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N. Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.