At a glance
- ICC meetings will revisit the future structure of the World Test Championship
- Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan could join expanded 12 team competition
- One-Test series for WTC points remain under consideration
The ICC is preparing for another crucial round of discussions over the future of the World Test Championship with senior officials set to revisit proposals that could reshape Test cricket over the coming years.
The governing body’s chief executives committee will hold a virtual meeting on May 21 before ICC board members gather in Ahmedabad on May 30 and 31 during the final weekend of the Indian Premier League season.
Among the key topics on the agenda are plans to expand the World Test Championship to all 12 Full Member nations and proposals that would allow one-Test series to count towards the competition standings.
ICC considers expanding the World Test Championship
The ICC appointed a working group last year led by former New Zealand batter Roger Twose to review the long term structure of the WTC.
While the current format is expected to remain in place for the next cycle from 2027 to 2029, recommendations from the group include adding Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan to create a 12 team competition.
At present only nine Full Members participate in the WTC, with each nation playing three home and three away series across a two year cycle.
Read more: The Top 5 Greatest England Women Cricketers of All Time
One-Test series proposals remain on the table
The ICC is also considering a significant change to scheduling rules by allowing one-Test series to carry WTC points.
Under the current regulations, bilateral WTC series must feature a minimum of two Tests. Supporters of the proposal believe one-Test contests could make scheduling more flexible for smaller nations and help broaden participation across the calendar.
Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan have all pushed for greater involvement in the longest format and an expanded WTC could offer those nations a clearer pathway to more meaningful Test cricket.
ICC unlikely to finalise changes this month
Although discussions are expected to progress during the May meetings, the ICC is not anticipated to approve a final structure immediately.
Instead, officials hope to move closer to a decision ahead of the organisation’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh in July following the Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
The current Future Tours Programme runs until March 2027 with the next World Test Championship final scheduled to take place in England in June that year.
Also read: Bangladesh Beat Pakistan by 104 Runs to Secure Historic First Home Test Victory
Political tensions cloud PCB participation
The ICC had originally planned to stage the meetings in Doha before regional tensions in West Asia forced a change of venue.
With Ahmedabad now hosting the board meeting, uncertainty surrounds whether Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi will attend in person or join virtually.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan continue to complicate relations between the two cricket boards, leaving Naqvi’s travel plans unresolved ahead of the gathering.
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