Cricket

Imran Khwaja has been reappointed as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) deputy chair, extending his tenure until December 1, 2024. This reappointment coincides with the commencement of BCCI secretary Jay Shah's term as ICC chair.Khwaja's association with the ICC Board began in 2008, and he has served as deputy chair since 2017. He has also held the position of interim chair, stepping in after Shashank Manohar's term ended in July 2020. In the subsequent leadership election, Khwaja contested against Greg Barclay, who ultimately won after two rounds of voting.At the ICC annual general meeting in Colombo in July 2023, Khwaja was re-elected as one of three Associate member directors to sit on the ICC Board. In August 2023, Shah was appointed chairperson unopposed, replacing Barclay, who had served two of his three terms. At 35, Shah became the youngest and fifth Indian to hold the position of ICC chair.The ICC has also voted on a recommendation that alters the tenure limits for the ICC chair and board directors. Previously, the maximum tenure was three terms of two years each. Under the new regulations, the maximum tenure will be two terms of three years each.Khwaja's reappointment as deputy chair ensures continuity and stability within the ICC leadership. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as the ICC navigates the evolving landscape of international cricket.

Jay Shah, the current Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is poised to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman on December 1st. A recent recommendation by the ICC Board suggests that Shah's tenure could be extended to two terms of three years each, deviating from the current norm of three terms of two years each.This recommendation, which will be circulated among ICC members for approval, aims to enhance governance within the organization. The ICC Board believes that a longer tenure will provide stability and security to the Chairman and Independent Director, allowing them to focus on long-term strategic initiatives without the distraction of frequent elections.Shah, who is 35 years old, was elected unopposed to succeed Greg Barclay, who has served two terms as ICC Chairman. The Independent Director position has been vacant since Indra Nooyi completed her three terms earlier this year.In addition to the proposed changes to the Chairman's tenure, the ICC Board also made adjustments to the ICC Men's Cricket Committee. Scott Weenink, a New Zealand businessman, has been appointed as the Full Member representative, while Scott Edwards, the 28-year-old Netherlands captain, will represent the Associate Members.These changes are part of the ICC's ongoing efforts to improve governance and ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport. By providing greater stability and continuity to key leadership positions, the ICC aims to foster a more effective and efficient decision-making process.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Appointed Federal Minister, Retains PCB RoleMohsin Naqvi, the newly elected chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has been appointed as the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control. This unprecedented move has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on the governance of Pakistan cricket.Naqvi, who was elected PCB chairman last month, has stated that he will continue to hold both positions concurrently. This is not the first time he has juggled political and cricketing responsibilities. Last month, he was serving as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab while also being elected PCB chairman.The PCB has defended Naqvi's dual role, arguing that it does not violate the board's constitution. The PCB election commissioner has stated that the board's rules prohibit a chairman from holding an "office of profit" concurrently, but Naqvi has said he will not draw a salary from his role at the Interior Ministry.However, the dual role has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Naqvi has previously stated that he does not want politics to seep into cricket, but his appointment as a federal minister could make it difficult to maintain that separation.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has historically taken a dim view of political interference in cricket, but it has only intervened sporadically. There is precedent for board chairs holding ministries elsewhere in the subcontinent, such as Sharad Pawar serving as BCCI president while also being India's Minister for Agriculture.The ICC has stated that it requires a complaining party to assess whether political interference has occurred at a cricket board. In the past, it has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricket for brief periods due to political interference.It remains to be seen how Naqvi's dual role will impact the governance of Pakistan cricket. The PCB has expressed confidence that there will be no violation of its constitution, but the potential for conflicts of interest and political influence remains a concern.