ICC Grants $12.82 Million Loan to Aid West Indies Cricket's Financial Woes
Under Jay Shah's leadership, the ICC approves substantial assistance to CWI amidst ongoing financial challenges.
The International Cricket Council, headed by Jay Shah, has authorized a loan of $12.82 million for Cricket West Indies. This decision came during the ICC's annual general meeting in Edinburgh, where the council also updated the formats for ODI and T20I World Cups. The financial aid aims to address CWI's persistent economic difficulties, which have been a concern for several years.
This is not the first time the ICC has stepped in to support West Indies cricket. In 2012, both CWI and Zimbabwe Cricket received similar aid. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, CWI borrowed $3 million from the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has since been repaid. The renewed loan is expected to provide short-term stability while CWI works on long-term financial health.
According to CWI's audited financial statements ending September 2025, the board suffered losses of $28 million, a stark contrast to the $24 million profit in the previous year. With projections indicating further losses in the 2025-26 cycle, the ICC's loan and potential commercial banking credit facilities are intended to close the funding gap and offer much-needed relief.