Jay Shah, the son of Amit Shah — India’s Home Minister and a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has recently been elected unopposed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
For many in Pakistan, this news is stirring mixed feelings, especially considering Shah’s deep ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and his past decisions as the Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The tension between Pakistan and India in cricket isn’t new, but Shah’s new role at the helm of the ICC has amplified concerns among Pakistani fans. Many fear that this development could spell trouble for Pakistan, particularly with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon. Let’s break down what this could mean for Pakistan cricket.
Concerns About Influence Of Jay Shah
Jay Shah’s association with the BJP and his close relationship with PM Modi, who is often viewed as having an anti-Pakistan stance, has led to widespread apprehension among Pakistani cricket fans.
These concerns aren’t without precedent. Last year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, leading to the event being split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a hybrid model.
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Now, as Jay Shah takes over the ICC, the big question is whether he will allow the Champions Trophy 2025 to go ahead as planned in Pakistan. Rumors are already swirling, with some Indian media reports suggesting that the BCCI might push for moving the event out of Pakistan, possibly to Dubai or Sri Lanka.
Voices of Optimism
However, not everyone is pessimistic. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes there might be more to Shah’s election than meets the eye.
During a discussion on his YouTube channel, Latif suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deliberately chose not to oppose Shah’s appointment, possibly as part of a broader strategy to secure India’s participation in the Champions Trophy.
“PCB has not opposed Shah’s appointment for a reason. I think there’s an understanding. If India’s team comes, it will be because of Jay Shah’s efforts, along with support from their government,” Latif said. He even predicted that India’s visit to Pakistan might already be halfway approved.
Adding to this optimistic outlook, another former Pakistan captain, Younis Khan, welcomed Shah’s appointment. Khan urged Jay Shah to use his new position to uplift the sport of cricket and foster better relations between the two cricketing nations.
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He emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and suggested that positive steps by Shah could pave the way for Pakistan and India to play cricket on each other’s soil once again.
For now, Pakistani cricket fans and officials can only wait and see how Jay Shah’s leadership at the ICC unfolds. Will he use his influence to ensure India’s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, or will he lean towards moving the event elsewhere? Only time will tell.
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