By Zainab Shafiq 
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is gearing up for its 2024 annual conference, scheduled to be held in Colombo in July. While the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, reports from Cricbuzz suggest that the conference is likely to take place in the third week of July, following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies.
This timing is significant, particularly in light of the challenges faced during the T20 World Cup in the USA. Issues such as logistical hurdles, infrastructure limitations, legal complexities, and the necessity to expand cricket’s footprint in non-traditional regions like the USA will be key topics of discussion.
Evaluation of the T20 World Cup’s performance, especially concerning the challenges encountered in the USA, will be a crucial agenda item. Additionally, there may be discussions about potentially extending the term of the ICC chairman from two to three years, with Jay Shah emerging as a potential candidate, as per sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Currently, Greg Barclay holds the position of ICC chairman, having assumed office in 2020 after his tenure as chairman of New Zealand Cricket from 2016 to 2020.
The completion of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in the USA, set to host eight T20 World Cup matches including the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash, marks a significant milestone in expanding cricket infrastructure. The stadium, featuring a drop-in square similar to Adelaide Oval and Eden Park, underscores the growing interest in cricket in non-traditional markets.
The ICC conference will serve as a platform to address challenges and opportunities for global cricket development. Cooperation among cricketing nations and governing bodies will be pivotal in tackling the unique challenges faced by emerging cricketing regions. Moreover, discussions will focus on strategies to enhance the growth and popularity of cricket worldwide.
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