Published: Aug 20, 2024, 09:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 20, 2024, 09:59 PM (IST)
After his term ended on November 30, current ICC head Greg Barclay decided not to seek a third term on Tuesday, which stoked concerns over BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s future at the organization that oversees cricket.
By August 27, when nominations for the chairman’s position close, Shah’s interest in entering the race will become apparent.
Barclay, an attorney from in New Zealand, has served as the chairman of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for four of the three terms that he is eligible to serve.
“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. Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022,” the ICC stated in a media release.
The chairman will be chosen by a simple majority of nine votes (51%) as per ICC rules. The election will consist of sixteen ballots. In the past, the incumbent required a two-thirds majority to hold the position of chairman.
“Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.”
In the ICC boardroom, Shah is regarded as one of the most powerful figures. He presently serves as the chairman of the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) subcommittee, which has immense power.
With the majority of the 16 voting members, he enjoys great benevolence. Shah’s term as BCCI secretary is currently one year left, after which he will be required to take a three-year hiatus starting in October 2025.
An office holder may hold position for six years before having to take a three-year cooling-off period, according to the BCCI constitution that was upheld by the Supreme Court. A person may hold office for a total of eighteen years, nine in state association and nine in BCCI.
Shah will still have four years left in the BCCI if he chooses to transfer to the ICC with one year remaining in his secretaryship.
He may be the youngest chairman in ICC history at 35.
Indian leaders of the ICC in the past include Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar.
