Big challenges for Jai Shah: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has been elected unopposed as the next chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Along with this, 35-year-old Jay Shah has become the youngest administrator to hold the top post in world cricket administration.
Jay Shah will replace the current ICC chairman Greg Barclay on 1 December this year. 62-year-old Barclay of New Zealand decided not to contest for the third consecutive time. Now Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah will have 3 big challenges in front of him along with becoming the ICC chairman. Let’s know about them…
Champions Trophy a big challenge in Pakistan
The Champions Trophy is to be hosted by Pakistan in February-March next year. While being the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah has already made it clear that the Indian team will not tour Pakistan. In such a situation, Pakistan’s eyes were only on the decision of the ICC. But now Jay Shah himself has become the ICC chief.
In such a situation, Pakistan may face big trouble. Jai Shah was also the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Then the Asia Cup 2023 was hosted by Pakistan under the hybrid model. Then the Indian team played its matches in Sri Lanka. Now it has to be seen how the ICC chairman handles the matter of this Champions Trophy.
Promoting cricket at the Olympics
The second big challenge before Jai Shah will be to promote cricket in the Olympics. This will start with the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. How cricket enters the Olympics and grows will all depend on Jai Shah’s plan.
How many teams will play in the Olympics, what will be its format and how will the tournament end? Jai Shah has to face all these challenges. With the help of Olympics, it will also be a challenge to take cricket to those countries where it is not played. Jai Shah has also said this in his statement. He said, ‘Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics 2028 is a big achievement. We will give it global recognition through the Olympics and try to take it to more countries.’
The challenge of making cricket a global sport
Jai Shah has done a lot to promote women’s cricket in India while being the BCCI secretary. He launched the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Also, women were given equal salary as men. Apart from this, Jai Shah has also put Indian domestic cricket forward. Keeping in mind its development, he made it mandatory for all big players to play domestic cricket.
Now as the ICC chief, he will face a big challenge of saving Test cricket. In fact, after the advent of the T20 format, fans’ interest in Tests has decreased a bit. In such a situation, Jay Shah will face the challenge of promoting Tests by making some new changes.
There will also be the challenge of making cricket a global sport. Apart from this, how to attract the youth towards this sport is also included in their agenda. Along with this, the players’ travel, earnings and other things will also be monitored during the ICC tournament.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)