Massive change on cards in ICC as Jay Shah set to begin his tenure as Chairman

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah is likely to serve two terms of three years each as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that the ICC Board, which met in Dubai, recommended the change in terms for the chair and the independent director.

In the current scenario, the chairman of the ICC serves three terms of two years each. However, in the recent meeting of the ICC, which took place in Dubai over the weekend, the matter was addressed. However, the governing body stated that they would be circulating recommendations for approval among its members, comprising Full and Associate Members.

The reports in ESPNCricinfo claimed that by changing the term of the ICC chairman, the governing body is trying for better governance. The Board also believes that they will provide security and stability to both the chairman and independent director. The elected candidates won't have to worry about elections every two years.

While Jay Shah will be taking over the chairman of the ICC from 1st December, the independent director's position is vacant. The position has been empty since former Pepsico chair Indra Nooyi finished her three terms earlier this summer.

Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the chairman of the ICC

Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the chairman of the ICC. The current Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary will be replacing outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay, who has served two of his three terms since being elected in 2020 in the role.

Jay Shah had the backing of 15 out of the 16 members of the International Cricket Council, including Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). At 35 years, he will become the youngest ever to take over the role of the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC announces changes to the cricket committee

Apart from the development surrounding Jay Shah, ICC reportedly announced changes to the cricket committee. New Zealand businessman Scott Weenink has been appointed as Full Member representative, while Scott Edwards, who is the captain of the Netherlands National Cricket Team, has been named Associate Member representative.

ICC also approves Women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2025-2029

The International Cricket Council also approved the Women's Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2025-2029 cycle. The governing body will be announcing it soon, and it will only be the second time that the governing body will be announcing FTP for Women, having announced the first one in 2022.

Apart from the 11 Full members, there will be FTP for the five Associate Members - Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, and the USA. The top two teams that will qualify for the women's ODI World Cup qualifier 2025 will gain ODI status, while the remaining three slots will be filled based on the T20I rankings.

The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) also approved shifting the calendar for the women's rankings annual update from October 1 to May 1 each year. For the rankings to reflect, the teams will have to play a minimum of eight matches per format (ODIs and T20Is) as opposed to the six currently. This is because of the increase in the volume of women's cricket.