May 31, 2025: In a significant meeting of sporting minds, ICC Chairman and former BCCI Secretary Jay Shah met UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in Munich on Friday, just two days ahead of the much-anticipated UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
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The meeting, held at the heart of Europe’s football capital this weekend, aimed to bolster cricket’s global outreach, especially in regions where the sport is still developing. Shah emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration and global presence for cricket’s continued growth.
“Honoured to represent cricket in Munich ahead of the @championsleague Final and have discussions with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin,” Shah tweeted on Saturday morning.
The ICC continues to push initiatives such as ‘Cricket for Good’, a flagship community outreach program focused on leveraging cricket’s global popularity to address issues like child protection, education, and nutrition across underserved communities.
While cricket enjoys a massive following in Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa, Europe — particularly non-UK regions — remains a relatively untapped market. Shah’s meeting signals the ICC’s commitment to changing that through diplomacy, sports partnerships, and localized initiatives.
Champions League Final Spotlight: PSG vs Inter Milan
Sunday’s final at Allianz Arena promises to be a historic clash, with Paris Saint-Germain eyeing their first-ever Champions League title. The spotlight will be on Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan full-back, facing former club Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A title four years ago. Hakimi has contributed directly to 22 goals this season — underlining his status as arguably the world’s best attacking full-back.
For Inter, Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries will be crucial in their wing-back roles. Dumfries, in particular, has had a standout season, netting 11 goals and adding real attacking threat down the right.
The final kicks off at Allianz Arena, Munich, on Sunday, June 1, with fans across the world eagerly awaiting one of football’s biggest nights — now also featuring a quiet but significant moment for cricket’s global ambitions.