The International Cricket Council (ICC) runs the game at the highest level, controlling international tournaments, setting the rules, and deciding how cricket expands across the world. Cricket isn’t just about bat and ball anymore—it’s a billion-dollar business, a diplomatic battleground, and a sport that has to keep evolving to survive.
Sitting near the top of this setup is the president of ICC, but don’t get it twisted—this isn’t the person making all the big calls. That power lies with the ICC Chairman, who pulls the strings when it comes to major decisions. The ICC President, on the other hand, is more of a statesman, a representative of the sport who works to keep things running smoothly between cricket boards, players, and stakeholders.
Now, the who is ICC President question isn’t just a bit of trivia. It matters because cricket, like any global sport, needs leadership. The president helps manage relationships between the powerhouses—India, Australia, and England—while ensuring smaller nations aren’t left behind. This role demands someone who understands cricket’s traditions but isn’t afraid to deal with the political side of the game.
Cricket is in a constant battle between its past and future. Test matches or T20 leagues? Nation vs. franchise? More commercial deals or more cricketing integrity? The ICC President’s job isn’t to make these decisions but to keep the sport from tearing itself apart while those debates play out.
History of the ICC Presidency
The International Cricket Council (ICC) wasn’t always the powerhouse it is today. Back in 1909, it started as the Imperial Cricket Conference, run by England, Australia, and South Africa—three boards making all the big calls while the rest had to fall in line. Over time, as more nations earned Test status, the game outgrew its colonial roots, and a proper governing body was needed. By 1965, the organization was rebranded as the International Cricket Conference, and in 1989, it finally became the ICC, a name fitting for the sport’s global ambitions.
The ICC President role came in 2014, replacing the Chairman of the ICC Executive Board. The idea was simple—split the responsibilities, let the president handle the ceremonial duties, and leave the actual decision-making to the chairman. But cricket politics being what they are, by 2016, the ICC decided the president’s role should be more symbolic, with the chairman holding all the real power.
Even as an honorary role, some big names have taken the ICC Presidency, shaping cricket’s governance in different ways. Some helped expand the game, others got caught in boardroom battles, and a few simply kept the seat warm. Whether it was dealing with political tensions, growing the sport in new regions, or fighting off self-interest from the big boards, the president of ICC has had to navigate the messy world of international cricket.
Role and Responsibilities of the ICC President
The president of ICC might not be the one making the big calls, but the role still holds significance in world cricket. It’s a diplomatic position, a figurehead who represents the sport, ensures smooth relations between cricket boards, and keeps the game moving forward.
What the ICC President Actually Does:
- Represents the ICC at major events, shaking hands, giving speeches, and keeping the sport in good standing globally.
- Supports initiatives to grow cricket in Associate and emerging nations—because let’s be honest, the sport can’t just be about the same 10 teams forever.
- Helps maintain good relations between Full Members (Test-playing nations) and smaller cricket boards, even when financial interests try to pull them apart.
- Chairs ICC meetings when needed, though the actual decision-making power is minimal.
ICC President vs. ICC Chairman – Who’s Really in Charge?
Plenty of people ask who is the ICC President and what do they do, but the real question is who runs cricket? That’s where the ICC Chairman comes in.
- The ICC Chairman is the boss—he handles governance, makes decisions, leads board meetings, and settles disputes when cricket’s biggest nations clash.
- The ICC President? They’re there to keep things diplomatic, represent the ICC globally, and ensure relationships between cricket boards don’t completely fall apart.
Since 2016, the ICC has made it clear—the Chairman runs the show, but the ICC President still plays a crucial role in maintaining the sport’s unity and image.
List of ICC Presidents (By Year)
The president of ICC role has been around since 2014, and while the position doesn’t hold much power, it has seen a few big names come and go. Below is the full list of ICC Presidents over the years:
| Year | President | Country |
| 2014–2015 | Mustafa Kamal | Bangladesh |
| 2015–2016 | Zaheer Abbas | Pakistan |
| 2016–2018 | Shashank Manohar | India |
| 2018–2021 | Shashank Manohar | India |
| 2021–2022 | Greg Barclay | New Zealand |
| 2022–2023 | Greg Barclay | New Zealand |
| 2023–Present | Jay Shah | India |
Short list? Sure. But each of these men had a hand in shaping cricket in their own way—whether through pushing reforms, expanding the game’s global reach, or dealing with cricket’s never-ending off-field politics. Some kept things steady, some clashed with the system, and some made moves that changed the sport’s landscape forever.
Who was the ICC President in 2023?
For anyone following cricket’s leadership, who was the ICC President in 2023? is a fair question. But here’s the reality—by then, the president of ICC was little more than a symbolic figure. The role had been watered down to formalities, handshakes, and speeches, while the real power sat with the ICC Chairman.
Background and Experience
The ICC President name 2023 was Greg Barclay, a New Zealander who had been around cricket administration for years. But he wasn’t in the role because of his influence—he was there because the position still existed on paper. By 2023, the presidency wasn’t about making decisions; it was about maintaining relationships between cricket boards, ensuring the sport looked unified on the surface, even when behind closed doors, it was anything but.
Vision and Objectives
What was the ICC President in 2023 supposed to achieve? That’s the real question. Some past presidents had tried to push for expansion, others aimed to keep the sport financially secure, but by this point, their agenda didn’t really shape cricket. The real power brokers were handling broadcast deals, managing tensions between national boards, and figuring out how international cricket could survive in a world dominated by private T20 leagues.
The ICC President name 2023 may have been on the letterhead, but cricket’s future wasn’t being shaped by that title. The game had moved on, and with it, so had the real decision-making power.
Major Achievements Under the ICC Presidency
The president of ICC doesn’t run the show, but let’s not pretend the role has been meaningless. Over the years, different ICC Presidents have had their hands in some major shifts in cricket—whether by expanding the game, dealing with boardroom battles, or keeping the sport from tearing itself apart.
Key Moments Under ICC Presidents:
- Cricket’s Expansion Beyond the Big Boys – The game was once a closed shop, controlled by a handful of elite teams. But during various presidencies, nations like Afghanistan and Ireland fought their way into the Test arena, breaking through a system that had kept them out for decades. That didn’t happen by accident.
- T20 Taking Over the World – Whether you love it or hate it, T20 cricket became the heartbeat of the sport, and the ICC had to either embrace it or get left behind. Under different ICC Presidents, we saw the T20 World Cup grow, giving more teams a chance and keeping the format fresh on the global stage.
- Sorting Out the Money Mess – Cricket’s finances have always been a power struggle. The biggest boards—India, England, and Australia—tried to lock down most of the revenue, but some ICC Presidents pushed for fairer financial models, ensuring smaller nations didn’t just scrape by while the giants got richer.
- Handling the Chaos – Match-fixing, political disputes, teams refusing to tour certain countries—ICC Presidents have had to step in when things got ugly. Some dealt with it well. Others? Not so much. But when cricket has been in crisis, the ICC President has often been dragged into the mess.
Even with the ceremonial nature of the position, an ICC President with the right influence can still shake things up. It’s not about making the rules—it’s about making sure the sport survives.
Challenges Faced by ICC Presidents
Being the president of ICC isn’t just about turning up at events, shaking hands, and sitting in fancy seats at World Cup finals. The role comes with its fair share of headaches. Cricket is a sport loaded with politics, egos, and power struggles, and the ICC President—despite having little actual authority—still gets dragged into the chaos.
Biggest Challenges ICC Presidents Face:
- Keeping the Big Boys in Check – Let’s not kid ourselves, the ICC is run by the BCCI (India), ECB (England), and CA (Australia). The rest? They get whatever’s left. The president of ICC is supposed to represent the whole cricketing world, but when the biggest boards pull the strings, keeping things balanced is a nightmare.
- Sorting Out Cricket’s Never-Ending Disputes – You’d think cricket boards could agree on something once in a while, but no. Whether it’s India vs. Pakistan political tensions, teams refusing to tour certain countries, or boards fighting over the FTP (Future Tours Programme), the ICC President is expected to keep the peace. Easier said than done.
- Test Cricket vs. T20 Money Machines – The IPL and other franchise leagues have changed the game forever. Players are choosing T20 contracts over international cricket, and Test cricket—the format the ICC claims to protect—is getting pushed aside. The ICC President has to somehow convince the world that Test cricket still matters, while also acknowledging that T20 is paying the bills.
- The Never-Ending Financial Fights – Cricket’s money isn’t shared equally, and it never has been. The Big Three (India, England, Australia) take the lion’s share, leaving smaller nations struggling. Some ICC Presidents have tried to fix it, but good luck telling India to take a pay cut.
The ICC President’s job isn’t just about cricket—it’s about diplomacy, navigating boardroom battles, and somehow keeping the sport from eating itself alive.
The Election Process of the ICC President
If you’re asking who is the ICC President and how they get the job, the answer isn’t complicated—though it’s far from a fair fight. Cricket’s leadership has always been influenced by politics, alliances, and, let’s be honest, whoever has the most power in the room.
How the ICC President is Elected:
- The ICC Board, made up of Full Member representatives and independent directors, decides who takes the position.
- Candidates usually come from cricket administration, either ex-cricketers with boardroom experience or officials who’ve spent years dealing with the game’s off-field chaos.
- The term lasts one year, though some presidents have managed to extend their stay.
Who Can Be ICC President?
- Must have a national cricket board backing them.
- Needs a strong background in governance or administration—no place for amateurs.
- Can’t have conflicts of interest with major cricketing nations (though let’s be real, those lines have been blurred before).
The election itself? It’s rarely a simple vote. Lobbying, backroom deals, and political maneuvering play a huge role. The biggest cricketing nations—India, England, and Australia—hold the cards, and their support often determines the outcome. If you think it’s all about merit, you haven’t been paying attention.
List of Key ICC Presidents and Their Impact
Some ICC Presidents made an impact, others found themselves in controversy, and a few just kept the seat warm. Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about names to hold the title.
1. Shashank Manohar (2016-2021) – Took on the Big Three
Shashank Manohar didn’t play it safe. He went straight at India, England, and Australia’s grip on ICC finances, trying to dismantle the Big Three model that gave them the lion’s share of revenue. His push for a more balanced financial structure rattled the top boards, and while he faced massive resistance, he left a mark. Not many have dared to challenge the powerhouses of world cricket like he did.
2. Mustafa Kamal (2014-2015) – Walked Out in Protest
Mustafa Kamal’s time as president of ICC was short and messy. The 2015 World Cup saw him publicly clash with ICC officials over umpiring decisions, and when he wasn’t allowed to present the trophy at the final, he quit in protest. His exit was a clear sign of how little power the ICC President actually had—if you weren’t aligned with the real decision-makers, you were pushed aside.
3. Greg Barclay (2021-Present) – The Businessman’s ICC
Greg Barclay took over during cricket’s franchise era, where international cricket had to fight for relevance against T20 leagues. His focus? More T20 World Cup teams, bigger broadcasting deals, and getting cricket into the Olympics. He understood where the money was and made sure the ICC went after it. Purists might not like it, but under his leadership, the ICC made sure cricket wasn’t left behind in the global sports economy.
Even in a ceremonial role, these ICC Presidents managed to shape cricket in different ways. Some fought the system, some worked with it, and some learned the hard way who really runs the game.
“The ICC President plays a key role in maintaining the balance of power in world cricket, ensuring the game’s growth while respecting its traditions.” – Harsha Bhogle
The ICC President’s Place in Cricket
The president of ICC doesn’t pull the strings, but the role still matters. Whether it’s representing cricket on the world stage, navigating boardroom politics, or keeping the sport from turning into a complete free-for-all, the ICC President remains a key figure in the game’s governance. Who is ICC President at any given moment says a lot about where cricket is headed—whether it’s tradition holding firm or the sport diving headfirst into the world of commercial expansion.
Cricket’s leadership never stays the same for long. Power shifts, decisions get challenged, and every few years, a new face steps into the presidency. The role itself may not be what it once was, but the ICC President remains a unifying figure—keeping cricket’s biggest players, boards, and fans under one umbrella, even when the game’s future feels anything but certain. And in a time when fans are more engaged than ever—tracking stats, matchups, and even securing their IPL betting ID—the influence of leadership behind the scenes has never been more crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was the ICC President in 2023?
By 2023, the ICC President’s role no longer existed—it had been scrapped back in 2016. The real power rested with the ICC Chairman, and that year, the job belonged to Greg Barclay from New Zealand. He had been running the show since 2020, steering cricket through financial deals, T20 expansion, and the push to get cricket into the Olympics.
2. What are the responsibilities of the ICC President?
None—because the position doesn’t exist anymore. Back when it did, the president of ICC was a ceremonial figure, shaking hands, cutting ribbons, and attending global events while the real decision-making happened elsewhere.
3. How is the ICC Chairman different?
Simple—the ICC Chairman runs the sport. They control governance, handle scheduling, manage finances, and make the calls that actually impact cricket. The ICC President (when it existed) was more of a symbolic ambassador, there for formalities, not decision-making.
4. Who was the ICC President in 2022?
Same story as 2023—no ICC President. The governing power was with Greg Barclay, who was ICC Chairman at the time. His focus? Growing the T20 World Cup, handling the franchise vs. international cricket debate, and securing cricket’s spot in the Olympic Games.
5. How long does an ICC President serve?
When the role was active, the ICC President’s term was one year, but some held on longer. Since 2016, the title has been purely historical, with the Chairman now in full control of cricket’s global direction.
