Jay Shah’s tenure as chair of the International Cricket Council began officially on Dec. 1. His first public pronouncement focused on the vision to take advantage of cricket’s participation in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and accelerate the growth of women’s cricket.
Shah also referred to the game being “at a critical juncture with the coexistence of multiple formats.” He did not mention the biggest item occupying his in-box, the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy, that urgently requires resolution.
This has implications for the four-year broadcast deal awarded to Disney Star for TV and digital rights. The deal covers all ICC men’s and women’s events from 2024 to 2027 for the Indian market. A significant part of the income stream for Disney Star is based on matches between India and Pakistan in ICC events. The loss of one, possibly, two, such matches in the Champions Trophy will put a hole in the ICC’s financial model and media contracts.
In the medium and longer term, Shah is well aware of the immense potential that cricket has to engage with fans globally. It is a moot point how much of the globe cricket can appeal to — Russia is suspended from the ICC and the game has so far failed to gain much traction in China. It has a limited foothold in South America. However, there are encouraging signs in Africa, not least in Nigeria. It is easy to see why the 2028 Olympics are framed as a seminal event for cricket.
The issue of multiple formats in co-existence is one that will only become more complex during Shah’s tenure. He has been quoted as saying that Test cricket “remains the pinnacle of the game. I am dedicated to preserving its stature while enhancing its appeal to fans.” It is not clear what the last phrase refers to. Does it mean, for example, fewer or more Test-playing nations, or ensuring that the best players are made available? They are being pulled in different directions at the same time, largely by money.
This week, all formats of cricket are being played internationally. In men’s Tests series, Australia is host to India, New Zealand to England, South Africa to Sri Lanka and the West Indies to Bangladesh. After the latter series, the teams will play three ODIs. In T20s, Zimbabwe is hosting Pakistan while, elsewhere in Africa, the T20 Africa Continental Cup is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda. This follows on from the T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C held in Abuja. Nigeria and Botswana progressed to the regional final. In Argentina, the Americas Sub-regional T20 World Cup qualifier is being contested by nine teams.
On Dec. 2, the final of the Abu Dhabi T10 league was played. It included some familiar names, including Jos Buttler and Nicholas Pooran. These two players, alone, provide ample indication of the opportunities and options available to top players. The England and Wales Cricket Board has taken a bold and, possibly, counter-productive step to address the issue.
In an effort to preserve the quality of its domestic cricket, the ECB is proposing to ban players from appearing in franchise leagues that clash with its domestic schedules, except the Indian Premier League. The first flashpoint is the Pakistan Super League, moved to April in 2025 to accommodate the Champions Trophy. Such a ban will jeopardise the income streams of some players, who may decide to forego English first-class cricket. Legal challenges are expected.
No such issue exists in the world from which Shah has just moved. Contracted Indian cricketers are forbidden from playing in any franchise league other than the IPL. These decisions are for individual boards, not the ICC. Those boards whose players are in greatest demand are faced with a growing dilemma. There are now about 20 franchise leagues and the number is growing — Nepal being the latest. The issue for Shah and the ICC is how his vow to preserve Test cricket can withstand this challenge.
Conversely, Shah’s ambition to accelerate the development of women’s cricket is probably pushing at an open door. Prior to his succession, the quickening of pace was already in train. On Nov. 4, the ICC released the Women’s Future Tours Programme for the 2025-2029 cycle. This involves 11 of the 12 ICC full members. Afghanistan’s women’s cricketers are currently in exile — another matter lurking in Shah’s inbox.
An ICC women’s event is scheduled for every year. After the ODI World Cup in India closes the previous cycle, there will be a T20 World Cup in 2026 in England, a six-team Champions Trophy in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in 2028. The lineup for the 2029 World Cup will be based on 132 ODIs played over the cycle in 44 series of three matches each, teams playing four series at home and away. There are 210 T20s scheduled, a 30 percent increase on the previous cycle.
There is also an increase in Test matches, from seven to 15. These will feature Australia, England, India, South Africa and the West Indies, who last played a Test in 2004. This increase will probably not satisfy those players who view Test cricket as the pinnacle. Preparation for it is essential and occasional matches do not facilitate a buildup of experience. Shah’s predecessor poured cold water on the prospects of more opportunities for women’s Tests. It remains to be seen if Shah’s positive statements regarding women’s cricket extend to Tests.
Given his opening remarks, Shah’s focus is more likely to be fixed on opportunities offered by the July 2028 Olympics and the short format. This fits with a desire to engage and expand globally.
Yet, all of this is overshadowed by the crisis surrounding the 2025 Champions Trophy. ICC income is based on sales of media rights and tournament revenue. These depend on viewers and are highly sensitive to interruption. Lower income means lower disbursement of funds to members. This would hit ICC associate members badly and dent their growth prospects. The neutrality required constitutionally of an ICC chair faces an early Test.
