Jay Shah, currently the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to take over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair on December 1, 2024. Ahead of his appointment, the ICC Board has recommended significant changes to the tenure of its Chair and Independent Director. These changes would limit the roles to two terms of three years each, replacing the current structure of three terms of two years. If implemented, Jay Shah would lead the global cricket body for three years, with the possibility of a second term, pending board approval.
Jay Shah’s upcoming tenure will coincide with his mandatory cooling-off period from the BCCI, which starts in September 2025. According to the Supreme Court-approved BCCI constitution, officials must observe a cooling-off period after serving for six consecutive years either in the state cricket unit or the BCCI. However, this BCCI rule will not affect Jay Shah’s role at the ICC, allowing him to complete his responsibilities without any interruptions.
An office bearer in the BCCI can serve up to 18 years in total, with nine years in the BCCI and nine years in a state unit. Jay Jay Shah’s rapid rise in Indian and global cricket administration continues as he assumes one of the most influential positions in world cricket.
In addition to Jay Shah’s impending appointment, the ICC Board also approved several key initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s cricket globally. The board sanctioned a series of T20 International tournaments for Associate Member women’s teams between 2025 and 2028, providing structured opportunities for 24 teams in preparation for the expanded 16-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2030. These efforts are part of the ICC’s broader strategy to promote competitiveness among smaller cricketing nations and elevate the global profile of women’s cricket.
The ICC also approved the 2025-2029 Women’s Futures Tour Programme (FTP), with a focus on expanding the international calendar for women’s teams. In another update, the annual Women’s rankings update will now occur on May 1 instead of October 1, with teams required to play a minimum of eight matches per year, up from the previous six, reflecting the growth of women’s international cricket.
Additionally, the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) has confirmed the process for awarding One-Day International (ODI) status to five Associate Member women’s teams for the 2025-2029 cycle. Two of these slots will be determined by the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2025, while the remaining teams will be selected based on their T20I team rankings at the time of the annual update.
These decisions underscore the ICC’s commitment to promoting women’s cricket and ensuring a competitive and inclusive global cricket landscape.
