With a leadership transition looming at Cricket West Indies, attention has begun to shift toward potential successors, even as one of the most prominent figures in regional cricket administration remains undecided about his own future.
Vice-president Azim Bassarath has acknowledged that he has yet to determine whether he will pursue the presidency when Kishore Shallow demits office in 2028.
Measured response from a seasoned administrator
Speaking during a radio interview, Bassarath struck a cautious tone when asked directly about his interest in the top post.
“I haven’t thought about it. I will be about 72 years of age at that time, so I’m not sure if I will be physically fit to seek election,” he admitted.
His response reflects both pragmatism and a reluctance to commit prematurely, despite his extensive experience within the regional cricket structure.
Beyond his role at CWI, Bassarath also serves as president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, a position he intends to see through to its conclusion.
“My term of office in Trinidad comes at the end of 2029, so I’m hoping to serve out my term year in Trinidad,” he explained.
That commitment could prove a decisive factor in whether he ultimately enters the race for regional leadership.
A shift triggered by Shallow’s decision
The question of succession gained urgency following Shallow’s announcement that he will not seek re-election at the end of his current term. His decision came after taking on governmental responsibilities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, creating a clear endpoint to his tenure at the helm.
Bassarath, who has served as Shallow’s deputy across two terms, including the most recent cycle that began in March 2025, would appear a natural contender. Yet, his comments suggest a deliberate pause rather than a campaign in waiting.
While Bassarath remains noncommittal, he hinted at broader interest emerging from within Trinidad and Tobago’s cricketing circles.
“There are other people in Trinidad who want to be president, so we maybe could support them,” he noted.
Such remarks signal that even if he opts out, Trinidad and Tobago could still play a significant role in shaping the next phase of CWI leadership.
A long absence from the top
Bassarath also pointed to history, noting that Trinidad and Tobago has not held the presidency of West Indies cricket’s governing body since Ken Gordon led the organization in 2007.
That prolonged absence may fuel renewed interest in returning leadership to the twin-island republic, whether through Bassarath or another candidate.
For now, the succession picture remains fluid. Bassarath’s stance, measured, reflective, and noncommittal, ensures that speculation will continue as 2028 approaches.
What is clear, however, is that the race for the next CWI president has quietly begun, even if its leading figures have yet to declare their intentions.
