ICC Chairman Jay Shah to Lead High-Stakes Meeting with Crucial Reforms on the Agenda
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to hold its highly anticipated Annual Conference in Singapore in the third week of July, where several transformative decisions impacting the future of global cricket are expected to be made.
Presiding over the conference for the first time in his new role, ICC Chairman Jay Shah will oversee discussions on a range of critical topics, including updates to Playing Conditions, governance reforms, and innovations aimed at enhancing the sport’s competitiveness and appeal.
Key Topics and Potential Reforms on the Agenda
One of the central items under review is a set of recommendations from the ICC Cricket Committee, led by former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. Among these proposals is the potential use of a single ball from the 25th over onwards in One-Day Internationals (ODIs)—a move designed to bring back reverse swing, a skill that has diminished in the modern era of limited-overs cricket.
The committee is also exploring the introduction of in-game clocks in Test matches, which would mandate the completion of 90 overs per day. This initiative draws inspiration from white-ball formats where a strict 60-second interval between overs is enforced, aiming to inject a faster tempo into the longest format of the game.
Format Shift for Under-19 World Cup Under Discussion
In a move that could reshape youth cricket, the ICC is considering transitioning the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup from the 50-over format to T20, aligning it with the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The proposal aims to create consistency across youth tournaments and reflect the growing dominance of the T20 format globally.
Governance Reform and WCA Proposals
The conference will also examine proposals submitted by the World Cricket Association (WCA), formerly known as FICA (Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations). These include recommendations for a revamp of ICC governance structures and a reassessment of the financial distribution model.
Despite these submissions, sources suggest that the ICC Board has yet to formally deliberate on the WCA’s proposals, and the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) has not reached a definitive stance. Early indications hint that these reforms may face resistance, especially as few major cricket boards have aligned with the WCA’s platform.
Why Singapore?
The decision to host the conference in Singapore was finalized during earlier ICC meetings in Harare and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The choice of location holds symbolic value as it is the constituency of ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja.
Global Cricket Awaits Pivotal Decisions
With high-stakes proposals on the table, the outcomes of the 2025 ICC Annual Conference could reshape international cricket’s trajectory, influencing formats, player welfare, governance, and fan engagement.
Cricket stakeholders worldwide will be watching closely as the sport enters a potentially game-changing phase.