The International Cricket Council (ICC) met in Edinburgh last week to discuss critical issues concerning cricket’s global landscape, with format restructures and competition frameworks at the forefront of discussions among top officials.
According to reports, the ICC is ready to negotiate new media deals with broadcasters in order to ensure that all forms remain competitive while boosting commercial reach for global audiences.
According to BBC Sport, the idea on the table would reduce the men’s ODI World Cup field from 14 to 12, with a new’super seven’ second round. The 2027 event, co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, might be the first to use this revised model, drastically changing how cricket’s most important competition functions.
How would the qualification structure differ under the ICC’s 12-team plan?
Under this concept, only two teams would advance through the global qualifiers instead of four, narrowing the path for smaller cricket nations seeking ODI World Cup places. This limitation has a direct impact on associate members’ abilities to compete in ICC regional and global qualifier events across several leagues and tournaments.
Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup’s’super eight’ stage could be expanded to include ten teams, in an effort to keep more nations in contention later in tournaments. The ICC believes these reforms will result in more high-profile contests between established teams, increasing television appeal and fan interest in various locations.
What additional tournament-related adjustments is the ICC considering?
England, India, and Australia have confirmed their important fixtures for the Future Tours Programme, which runs from 2027 to 2031, but the remaining full members must yet finalise their calendars. An August meeting is planned to resolve any remaining calendar difficulties, followed by a final checkpoint in September to secure everything.
Furthermore, limiting the scope of ODI cricket to 40 overs each side from the present 50 overs was discussed, but no modifications would be implemented. The one-day format so remains unchanged.
Semifinals could be added in the World Test Championship to increase participation in the red ball format. However, efforts to expand from nine to twelve teams have stalled, with an ICC working group currently exploring expansion options that include Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.
A global Club T20 event that would bring together champion franchises from domestic leagues around the world is getting closer to reality. According to one insider, the event might begin within two years if calendar space becomes available, with a conference of franchise officials scheduled for later this year to progress planning.
