Jay Shah was supposed to take charge as the ICC chairman on Dec 1 after end of Greg Barclay’s tenure. But that could be delayed due to ICC Champions Trophy impasse.
With the impasse over the ICC Champions Trophy ongoing, the outgoing chairman Greg Barclay is likely to continue for a month. The current BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who was elected unopposed, was slated to take charge on Dec 1. However, now, there is a change in the schedule. Barclay is likely to continue until Dec 31 before Shah takes charge on Jan 1, 2025.
As per reports in Cricket Pakistan, the arrangement is made to ensure a smooth transition in ICC leadership. But there could be more to it.
ICC Champions Trophy to be blamed?
Currently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are at loggerheads over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. BCCI has announced that the India Cricket Team won’t travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in Jan-Feb.
With Jay Shah involved in the discussion on behalf of the BCCI, it could be a conflict of interest if he takes charge of the ICC during the negotiations. That could be why it is best for ICC to have Greg Barclay continue for at least a month. Once the negotiations are over, the transition could begin.
BCCI vs PCB impasse
During his last days as the ICC chairman, Greg Barclay is facing a monumental task. With the meeting to resolve the issue postponed twice, he has to convince Pakistan to agree to a hybrid model of the ICC Champions Trophy or shift the entire tournament out of Pakistan. But there could be three scenarios in this regard.
Scenario 1: Pakistan is forced to accept a hybrid model
In this case, it will be a win-win situation for both ICC and the BCCI. India will play their matches in the UAE while Pakistan host all other matches. In case, India qualify for the semifinal or final, those high-profile games will also be shifted to a neutral venue.
Scenario 2: PCB does not accept the hybrid model.
PCB has taken a firm stance on not accepting a hybrid model. Greg Barclay has left the ball to BCCI and PCB’s court to agree. However, if something dramatic does not happen, PCB is unlikely to accept the hybrid model of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Scenario 3: No hybrid model
In case, PCB sticks to its guns and there is no hybrid model, the tournament could be shifted out of Pakistan entirely. UAE and South Africa are the two likely hosts in this case. However, ICC would have to compensate PCB for the financial losses. In addition, there will be additional expenses for hosting the tournament in another country.
Scenario 3: Pakistan’s boycott
If the Champions Trophy is moved out of Pakistan, there could be retaliation. Pakistan could boycott the tournament. It would be a matter of national prestige. This situation is not healthy for the ICC as the official broadcaster may demand compensation for the loss of the IND vs PAK matches. Greg Barclay must ensure that it does not happen. But if it does happen, Sri Lanka will fill in Pakistan’s void.
Scenario 4: No India in Champions Trophy
This scenario could be a nightmare for the ICC and one unlikely to happen. ICC will have no revenue if there is no India Cricket Team. Furthermore, ICC will have to compensate the official broadcaster for the loss of revenue they will suffer. In this situation, Sri Lanka will fill in the blanks but at a huge cost to ICC’s reputation.
Greg Barclay has only a few days to ensure that ICC does not take reputational damage. He also needs to ensure there is IND vs PAK match in ICC Champions Trophy at all costs before Jay Shah takes charge.
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