After becoming the ICC chairman, Jay Shah faces the first big challenge, will Pakistan become a problem?

New Delhi. Jay Shah has been elected the new chairman of ICC. This news is one day old. Now let’s talk beyond the news. What is the biggest challenge that Jay Shah is going to face as ICC chairman. Before you speculate, let us tell you that the answer has a Pakistan connection. That is, Jay Shah may have been promoted from BCCI secretary to the head of the highest cricket body, but Pakistan will continue to give him/her a headache. This time this headache is going to be due to the ICC Champions Trophy. Jay Shah will take over the responsibility of ICC chairman from December 1.

Let’s talk openly. Pakistan has to host the ICC Champions Trophy next year. The biggest issue in the success of this hosting is whether the Indian team will go to Pakistan. Looking at the record of the last 10-15 years, it is almost certain that the Indian team will not go to Pakistan. Reason- The decision of Team India going to Pakistan or not depends on the stand of the Indian government. The stand of the Indian government has not changed in the last 10 years. In such a situation, expecting that the Indian team will go to Pakistan is like a dream of extracting oil from sand. As always, India’s answer is also going to be the same that the team is in danger in Pakistan.

Pakistan will complain to ICC
If India refuses to send its team to Pakistan due to security reasons and the rest of the teams are ready to come there, then this matter will go to the ICC. The Pakistan Cricket Board will complain to the ICC about the Indian Cricket Board. Now this is where Jay Shah’s role begins. As ICC Chairman, he/she will have to give his/her decision on this with complete neutrality. The important thing is that not only will Jay Shah have to remain neutral, but he/she will also have to appear so.

Shah has been in such a role earlier too
Jay Shah has been the BCCI secretary as well as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman. As ACC chairman, he/she supported the hybrid model for hosting the Asia Cup 2023. Due to this, Pakistan had to co-host some of its matches with Sri Lanka. Now it remains to be seen how Jay Shah deals with this situation as ICC chairman.

India can play match in Dubai
It is believed that the ICC Champions Trophy can also be held in a hybrid model. Under this model, Pakistan will be the host of the tournament. Pakistan will play all its matches in its own country. India will play its matches in Dubai. The match between India and Pakistan will also be held in Dubai.

Popularity of Test cricket is also an issue
Apart from this, Jai Shah will have to take tough decisions to maintain the popularity of Test cricket. The controversy of league cricket vs national team is also getting bigger. Jai Shah will have to strike the right balance on this issue as well. Promotion of cricket in the Olympics will also be an important challenge. Cricket is going to make a re-entry in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

tag: Champions Trophy, jay shah