Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been re-elected as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in a unanimous decision at the ACC's Annual General Meeting held in Bali on Wednesday, January 31. This reappointment marks a continuation of his leadership since his initial appointment in January 2021, when he succeeded Nazmul Hassan. At the age of 32 in 2021, Shah became the youngest individual to assume this prominent role in the ACC.
Shah's reappointment extends his presidency for another two years, following his initial two-year term from 2021 to 2022 and his first reappointment in 2023. His leadership has been pivotal, especially during challenging times such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted global cricket.
"I am grateful to the ACC Board for their continued trust. We must remain committed to ensuring the all-round development of the sport with a special focus on regions where it is still in its infancy. The ACC is committed to nurturing cricket across Asia," Shah said in a release.
Under Shah's guidance, the ACC navigated through these tough periods, including relocating the 2022 men's Asia Cup from Sri Lanka to the UAE due to Sri Lanka's financial crisis. Additionally, Shah played a key role in implementing a hybrid model for the 2023 men's Asia Cup, which was held in the 50-over format and co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In his role as the BCCI Secretary, Shah has collaborated with influential cricket administrators, including Sourav Ganguly and the current board president, Roger Binny. His tenure has been marked by significant contributions and developments within the cricketing community.
In a landmark move in 2023, the ACC announced a comprehensive two-year fixture list that includes tournaments for men, women, and age-group teams. This initiative reflects Shah's commitment to broadening the scope and reach of cricket in Asia.
One of the notable announcements made by the ACC under Shah's presidency is the Women's T20 Asia Cup, scheduled for September 2024. The council also revived the Emerging Asia Cup for both men and women last year and announced the U19 Asia Cup tournaments for 2023 and 2024.
Looking ahead, the next edition of the men's Asia Cup is set to return to the T20 format, further showcasing the council's adaptive approach to evolving cricketing trends and formats under Shah's continued leadership.
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