The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reported significant financial losses amounting to approximately USD 20 million from hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup matches in the United States. This setback has emerged as a key issue ahead of the ICC Annual Conference, set to commence in Colombo on Friday.
The financial blow is attributed to several factors related to the event’s management and logistics, particularly concerning the high-profile India-Pakistan match held in New York. Despite the match’s immense popularity and global attention, the costs associated with organizing such a large-scale event in a new and less familiar market have led to substantial losses.
The topic of these losses, although not formally listed on the official nine-point agenda of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), will be addressed in a “post-event report” during the conference. The discussion is expected to focus on evaluating the financial implications and assessing the feasibility of hosting future ICC events in less traditional cricket markets.
In addition to the financial concerns, the AGM will also deliberate on a major leadership change within the ICC. The potential replacement of current ICC chairman Greg Barclay by BCCI secretary Jay Shah is a prominent agenda item. Shah’s potential ascension to the ICC chairmanship has sparked considerable interest, with discussions centered around the timing of the transition.
According to an ICC source, the main question is not whether Shah will take over but when he will do so. Shah has one year remaining in his role as BCCI secretary before entering a cooling-off period starting in 2025. If Shah assumes the ICC chairmanship in 2025, it would prevent Barclay from completing his third term, which is set to last from December 2024 to December 2026.
To address this potential conflict, a proposed solution is to amend the ICC chairmanship terms from three two-year terms to two three-year terms, thereby maintaining a cumulative term of six years. This adjustment would allow for a smoother transition and alignment with the ICC’s operational and governance structure.
The ICC Annual Conference is anticipated to provide further clarity on these issues and outline strategies for future events to mitigate financial risks and ensure successful outcomes.
