The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing a storm of criticism after releasing a promotional video highlighting the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia. The video, intended to celebrate South Africa's victory, has instead sparked outrage for its excessive focus on ICC chairman Jay Shah.
The 45-second video, posted on the ICC's social media platforms, quickly drew the ire of journalists and fans alike. The video opens with a scenic shot of Lord's, but quickly transitions to a slow-motion shot of Jay Shah entering the ground. Throughout the video, Shah appears in 11 of the 23 shots, a number equal to that of the winning South African team. He is seen in conversation with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson, applauding, glancing at the camera, and congratulating South African players.
Critics were quick to point out the imbalance in the video's focus. Some noted that crucial moments from the match, such as Kagiso Rabada's nine-wicket haul and Aiden Markram's century in the fourth innings, were overshadowed by Shah's numerous appearances. In comparison, Player of the Match Aiden Markram was shown only twice, while Australian captain Pat Cummins appeared fleetingly. South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, featured only five times, less than half of Shah's appearances.
The excessive focus on Shah led to widespread mockery and accusations of self-promotion. Social media users and journalists derided the video, with some quipping that it appeared to be a "Jay Shah PR video" or "self-edited on a mobile phone" by Shah himself. One critic wrote, "If you blink at the wrong time, you'll miss the only shot of Pat Cummins," while another described Shah's presence as "beyond weird." Sri Lankan journalist Andrew Fidel Fernando questioned, "How many runs did Jay Shah score in this final? How many wickets?". UAE-based sports writer Paul Radley observed the video made it appear "Jay Shah was player of the match," while UK journalist Charlie Reynolds pointed out Shah's 11 appearances matched the combined screen time given to South Africa's entire team.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the ICC's governance and potential conflicts of interest. Some observers have pointed out that Shah's rise to power within the ICC has been rapid, and that he is considered one of the most influential figures in world cricket. His election as ICC chairman was unopposed, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
This isn't the first time Shah has been accused of seeking the limelight. He previously faced criticism for joining a photoshoot with the Indian team after their Champions Trophy win, an incident that raised concerns about his neutrality. Some view this video as part of a pattern, with the ICC being accused of becoming increasingly India-centric under Shah's leadership.
The ICC has yet to respond to the criticism, but the backlash highlights the importance of maintaining a focus on the athletes and the game itself. As one user commented, it's crucial that administrators don't overshadow the achievements of the players who create the memorable moments that fans tune in to see.
