List of International Cricket Council Chairman (From 1909 to 2025)
Cricket is a tradition, culture and passion that brings together millions of fans around the world. At the heart of this global phenomenon is the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of the game. The ICC enforces the rules, organises international tournaments and works to develop cricket worldwide.
The journey of the ICC’s leadership structure is both historic and remarkable. Founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference, it has come a long way in over a century. From just three founding members (England, Australia and South Africa) to 100+ cricket-playing nations, the ICC has come a long way.
This blog provides a detailed history of the ICC’s leadership as well as how this structure has changed over the years.
Origins of The ICC And Leadership Structure
The ICC wasn’t always known by its current name. Here’s how it developed:
- 1909: Founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference with England, Australia, and South Africa as its first members.
- 1965: Renamed the International Cricket Conference to reflect a broader membership base.
- 1987: Finally became the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Initially, the ICC had a full-time election. Instead, it was a collective bargaining process. The acceptance of time, the clarity of authority, as the introduction of the President (1988-2016). Later, they benefited (since 2014).
ICC Presidents (1989-2016)
The role of the President was introduced in 1989 to provide leadership for cricket’s governing body. It was an important position that showed the glory of cricket administration.
Here’s a list of all the ICC Presidents:
| Sr No. | Name | Age | Nationality | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colin Cowdrey | 67 | England | 1989–1993 |
| 2 | Clyde Walcott | 80 | West Indies | 1993–1997 |
| 3 | Jagmohan Dalmiya | 75 | India | 1997–2000 |
| 4 | Malcolm Gray | 84 | Australia | 2000–2003 |
| 5 | Ehsan Mani | 79 | Pakistan | 2003–2006 |
| 6 | Percy Sonn | 57 | South Africa | 2003–2006 |
| 7 | Ray Mali | 87 | South Africa | 2007–2008 |
| 8 | David Morgan | 86 | England | 2008–2010 |
| 9 | Sharad Pawar | 83 | India | 2010–2012 |
| 10 | Alan Isaac | 72 | New Zealand | 2012–2014 |
| 11 | Mustafa Kamal | 77 | Bangladesh | 2014–2015 |
| 12 | Zaheer Abbas | 77 | Pakistan | 2015–2016 |
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Key Highlights of The Presidential Era
- Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000): The first Asian President, Dalmiya played a key role in bringing financial stability to the ICC.
- Ehsan Mani (2003-2006): Expanded the ICC’s reach and made sure of fair governance among full members and associate nations.
- Sharad Pawar (2010-2012): Oversaw the successful hosting of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
- Zaheer Abbas (2015-2016): Known as the “Asian Bradman,” he was the last ICC President before the role was banned.
In 2016, the ICC descarded the President’s role, shifting executive power to the Chairman.
ICC Chairmen (2014-2025)
The Chairman’s role was created in 2014, running side-by-side to the President for two years before completely taking over in 2016. Unlike the President, the Chairman holds executive power and heads the ICC Board of Directors.
Here’s the list of ICC Chairmen:
| Sr No. | Name | Age | Nationality | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N. Srinivasan | 79 | India | July 2014 – Nov 2015 |
| 2 | Shashank Manohar | 66 | India | Nov 2015 – June 2020 |
| 3 | Imran Khwaja (Interim) | – | Singapore | July 2020 – Nov 2020 |
| 4 | Greg Barclay | 62 | New Zealand | Nov 2020 – Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Jay Shah | 36 | India | Dec 2024 – Present |
Key Highlights of The Chairman Era
- N. Srinivasan (2014-2015): The first-ever ICC Chairman, Srinivasan’s time was marked by the introduction of reforms. These were aimed at giving more power to the “Big Three” (India, England, Australia).
- Shashank Manohar (2015-2020): Known for restoring balance from false and useless reforms and promoting ICC.
- Greg Barclay (2020-2024): Focused on commercial growth and the expansion of ICC tournaments. It even included the strengthening women’s cricket.
- Jay Shah (2024-Present): At just 36, Shah is the youngest-ever ICC Chairman. His time was expected to focus on cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics global expansion into newer markets like the USA and China.
The Shift in Power: From President to Chairman
The abolition of the President’s role in 2016 showed a governance shift. The ICC needed a full-time executive leader who could handle:
- Growing commercialization of cricket.
- Global expansion beyond the traditional strongholds.
- Media rights negotiations.
- Olympic inclusion strategies.
Thus, the Chairman became the central authority, while the ICC CEO handled day-to-day operations.
ICC Chairman Salary
Interestingly, the ICC Chairman does not receive a fixed salary. The role is honorary, though Chairmen are given allowances and benefits for official duties.
This ensures the role retains glory without being seen as financially motivated.
Interesting Facts About ICC Leadership
- Youngest Chairman: Jay Shah (2024–present), aged 36.
- First Asian President: Jagmohan Dalmiya in 1997.
- First Chairman: N. Srinivasan in 2014.
- Last President: Zaheer Abbas (2015–2016).
- Olympic Vision: Jay Shah’s key mission is to make sure of cricket’s successful debut at the 2028 LA Olympics.
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Conclusion
The history of the politics of the International Cricket Council provides a reflection of the implementation of cricket. From Colin Cowdrey in 1989 to the historic rise of Jay Shah in 2024, each woman has left a unique mark on the game.
While previous presidents expanded the world, today’s presidents will have to expand the business of politics. As the ICC looks towards the Olympics in 2028, the future of cricket will continue to be shaped by diversity.
The journey from 1909 to 2025 shows how the ICC has transformed into a futuristic organisation.
FAQs
Q1. Who is the current ICC Chairman (2025)?
India’s Jay Shah is the current chairman of the CBI, who will take over in December 2024.
Q2. Who was the first ICC Chairman?
India’s N. Srinivasan became the first Akshi Chairman in 2014.
Q3. When was the ICC President’s role abolished?
The role of ICC President was abolished in 2016, with Zaheer Abbas being the last person to hold the position.
Q4. What is the difference between ICC President and Chairman?
The President was a ceremonial role (1989-2016), while the Speaker holds executive power (since 2014).
Q5. Who was the youngest ICC Chairman in history?
Jay Shah became the youngest ICC Chairman in 2024 at the age of 36.
