Jay Shah has been announced as the next ICC chairman and will take formal charge from December 1, 2024. And his first major tournament as ICC chairman will be the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, on Tuesday, shared his thoughts on Shah's new position. He spoke about the challenges Shah will face as the new chairman.
Ali focused on one major issue – the Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to take place in Pakistan. He expressed concerns about whether Shah can balance his new ICC role with his previous responsibilities at the BCCI.
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Shah has been successful as the BCCI Secretary, but the ICC is a different challenge. Ali believes that Shah's journey as ICC chairman will not be an easy one.
What are the challenges ahead for Jay Shah?
Basit Ali pointed out the difficulties that Shah might encounter. The main issue he highlighted is the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
"Jay Shah won't find it easy as ICC chairman. This journey will be very difficult because the first task itself is the biggest challenge. The Champions Trophy is in Pakistan," Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
He suggested that Shah might face pressure regarding this event due to political tensions. He also mentioned that handling the ICC will be different from managing the BCCI.
Another point Ali made was about Shah's connections with the Indian government. He said that Shah's close ties with influential figures in India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, could influence his decisions at the ICC.
"Being the BCCI Secretary, he might have said that our government hasn't given permission yet," Ali said, referring to past situations. He added that this kind of response might not work at the ICC, where international relationships are more complex.
The Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan will be a major test for Shah. It remains to be seen how he will navigate these challenges and whether he can balance his past role with his new responsibilities.
