• ICC loses Rs 167 cr after hosting T20 World Cup 2024 in USA: Report

    Sports
    ICC loses Rs 167 cr after hosting T20 World Cup 2024 in USA: Report
    This financial setback is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the ICC Annual Conference...

    Digital Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly incurred losses of around USD 20 million (Rs 167 crore) for hosting the T20 World Cup 2024 games in the USA, according to a PTI report. This financial setback is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the ICC Annual Conference, which begins on Friday in Colombo. While this issue is not officially listed on the nine-point agenda for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), it will be addressed as a "post-event report."

    A significant portion of the tournament, including the highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan, was hosted in the USA, with the game taking place in New York. The financial losses from this venture have raised concerns within the ICC.

    Another prominent topic for discussion at the AGM is the potential replacement of ICC chairman Greg Barclay by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. According to the PTI report, an ICC source highlighted that the transition of leadership is a key area of interest for ICC members.

    "It is not about how but when, as he still has one year left as BCCI secretary before his cooling-off period in the Indian board starts in 2025 as per the constitution. However, if he has to take over in 2025, then Barclay can't complete his third term of two years from December 2024 to December 2026," the ICC source said.

    There is speculation about changing the term length for the ICC chairmanship. Currently, the chairmanship term is three terms of two years each. A proposed change to two terms of three years each would still amount to a cumulative term of six years. This adjustment would allow Barclay to serve a three-year term, enabling Shah to complete his tenure as BCCI secretary and take over as ICC chairman in 2025 for a three-year term. This would align with his cooling-off period at the BCCI and potentially allow him to return as BCCI president in 2028.

    As the ICC Annual Conference progresses, the financial implications of the T20 World Cup 2024 and the potential leadership transition will be closely monitored by cricketing authorities and stakeholders worldwide.