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.

India's participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains uncertain, contingent upon approval from the Indian government. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed confidence that all teams, including India, will attend the tournament.During a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Naqvi provided updates on the ongoing renovations at the venue in preparation for the Champions Trophy. He emphasized the PCB's readiness to host the event and asserted that all teams would participate.When questioned about the potential visit of Jay Shah, the newly elected ICC Chairman, Naqvi stated that the details of his meetings were yet to be finalized. He reiterated his belief that there were no factors that would prevent the Indian team from participating.India has not yet confirmed its participation, with speculation that the tournament could adopt a hybrid format, with India's matches potentially being played at a venue outside Pakistan, similar to the Asia Cup.The PCB has reportedly expressed willingness to accommodate the logistical needs of the Indian team and fans by hosting all India matches in Lahore, which is conveniently located near Amritsar.The Champions Trophy, which returns to the ICC calendar after a seven-year hiatus, is scheduled to take place in February-March 2023. The tournament will feature the top eight ODI teams in the world, competing for the coveted trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru on Sunday, where members urged incumbent secretary Jay Shah to expedite the process of finding his successor. Shah is set to step down from his post in late November to assume the role of ICC chairman for a three-year term beginning December 1.While the selection of a new secretary was not on the AGM agenda, attendees reportedly discussed the succession plan informally. "It was a normal request to keep all due processes in place at the earliest as [then] there will be clarity for us," said a state association representative who attended the meeting.Several candidates are reportedly in contention to succeed Shah, including Rohan Jaitley (president of Delhi and District Cricket Association), BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar, joint-secretary Devajit Saikia, and Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Anil Patel.The AGM also focused on nominating India's two representatives to attend ICC meetings. Currently, Shah represents the BCCI on the ICC Board, while IPL chairman Arun Dhumal holds the same role in the Chief Executives' Committee. The AGM entrusted the general body members with recommending two names for these positions.Arun Dhumal and Avishek Dalmiya were elected to the IPL Governing Council (GC) as general body representatives, with Dhumal continuing as the league's chairman until at least IPL 2025. Former Andhra cricketer V Chamundeswarnath was nominated by the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) as a player representative and inducted into the IPL GC.The AGM ratified the annual budget for the 2024-25 season and unanimously resolved to maintain BCCI's legal status as a society. "The members further resolved that the tournaments of the BCCI, including the IPL, shall not be converted into a company," a BCCI statement said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 29, 2024, in Bengaluru, is set to be a routine affair. However, behind the scenes, discussions have been abuzz with the impending "succession plan" for BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is set to take over as International Cricket Council (ICC) chair on December 1.With Shah's departure, the race for his successor has intensified. Three names have emerged as potential candidates: treasurer Ashish Shelar, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, and Delhi and District Cricket Association chief Arun Jaitley. However, a surprise candidate from a west zone association could also emerge in the coming months.The BCCI hierarchy is reportedly gauging the affiliates' response to the possibility of a relative newcomer taking on major responsibility. However, formal discussions on the succession plan are expected to begin only after Shah steps down towards the end of November.Meanwhile, the AGM will focus on routine matters, including the unopposed election of Avishek Dalmiya and Dhumal as members of the IPL governing council. V Chamundeswarnath is also set to be re-elected as the Indian Cricketers' Association' nominee in the governing council.The AGM may also consider floating invitations for any of the men's junior selection committee posts. However, it is likely that the house will authorize office-bearers to finalize the cricket committees and sub-committees.In a separate development, the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru was inaugurated on Saturday evening. The inauguration was followed by an exhibition cricket game among affiliates and BCCI office-bearers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, with the primary agenda being the election of two representatives to the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings. The meeting gains significance as the ICC is scheduled to hold a conclave in Dubai following the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE.Incumbent BCCI secretary Jay Shah will take over as ICC chairman from December 1, leaving the position of BCCI representative vacant. While BCCI president Roger Binny is the Alternate Director who can represent the board at ICC meetings, he rarely performs this duty.With a year remaining in his tenure, it remains uncertain whether Binny will continue as Alternate Director or if someone else will be nominated at the AGM. Two names have emerged as potential candidates for the secretary position: Anil Patel, secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, and Rohan Jaitley, president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association. Patel is reportedly the current frontrunner for the post, which will be officially ratified at a Special General Meeting (SGM).The AGM will also ratify the induction of a representative from the Indian Cricketer's Association (ICA) and two from the General Body. Sub-committees such as the Cricket Committee will be appointed, and the annual budget for the 2024-25 season will be approved.Additionally, the AGM will consider the report submitted by the board's internal committee formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council will convene on Wednesday to address various matters pertaining to the Board's operations. However, the appointment of a new secretary to succeed Jay Shah, who was recently elected as the next ICC Chairman, is not on the agenda.This meeting marks the final Apex Council gathering before the Board's 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru, scheduled to take place in five days. The appointment of a new secretary has become imperative following Shah's unanimous election as ICC Chairman. However, he will continue in his current role as BCCI Secretary during the upcoming AGM, as he is set to assume his new position only from December 1.Despite the need for a new secretary, the eight-item agenda for the Apex Council meeting does not include any discussion on the nomination process. Instead, the agenda focuses on other matters, including an update on the Byju's matter. The BCCI has an outstanding payment settlement issue with its former title sponsor, Byju's, which ended its sponsorship deal in March 2023.The Apex Council will also discuss the inauguration of the state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Currently, the NCA operates from the M Chinnaswamy stadium premises, where it has been based for over two decades.Other agenda items include approval for the commencement of renovation work on the exteriors of the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and the North East development project.

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), extended his birthday wishes to India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, on Saturday. Shah expressed his excitement to witness Yadav lead the team to further victories in the shortest format of the game."Happy Birthday to our T20I skipper and Mr. 360 with the bat, @surya_14kumar! I'm excited to see you lead the Men in Blue to many victories in the shortest format. Best wishes for the year ahead!" Shah wrote on his 'X' account.Suryakumar, who also held the top ranking in the men's T20I rankings, etched himself into cricketing history with his stunning relay catch at long-off of David Miller in this year's T20 World Cup final at Kensington Oval in Barbados. This catch paved the way for India to end an 11-year drought of winning a global title.Devisha Shetty, Suryakumar's wife, also posted a heartfelt note on her Instagram account on the right-handed batter's birthday. "Happy happy birthday to my best friend, husband, lover, my world and the best decision of my life! Thankful for you every single day. You make this world a better place and I don't know what I'd do without you. love you now and forever," she wrote.Since his international debut in 2021, Suryakumar has firmly established himself as one of the greats of T20I batting. However, his ODI and Test career has yet to reach the same heights.Suryakumar has been out of action after sustaining a hand injury during Mumbai's match against TNCA XI at the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Coimbatore, leading him to miss the ongoing Duleep Trophy.On the international cricket front, Suryakumar will be back in action to captain India in three T20Is against Bangladesh to be held in Gwalior, New Delhi, and Hyderabad on October 6, 9, and 12 respectively. The last time Bangladesh toured India was in 2019, where they lost the three-match T20I series 2-1.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is dispatching a delegation to Pakistan this month to assess preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The delegation will engage with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the tournament's schedule and address logistical matters.The PCB has submitted a tentative schedule to the ICC, proposing Lahore as the base for the Indian team. However, the schedule remains subject to approval from participating boards and the Indian government's decision on whether to allow its team to play in Pakistan.The ICC delegation will conduct site inspections at Champions Trophy venues in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. They will evaluate infrastructure development, security arrangements, broadcasting facilities, team accommodations, and travel plans.With Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, set to assume the role of ICC chairman on December 1, the announcement of the Champions Trophy schedule may be delayed, similar to last year's World Cup in India.The delegation's visit underscores the ICC's commitment to ensuring a successful Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The tournament is scheduled to take place in September 2023 and will feature the top eight ODI teams in the world.