SINGAPORE: Key discussions around a proposed two-tier Test structure, expansion of the T20 World Cup, and ratification of new member nations are expected to take center stage during the four-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Cricket Council (ICC), beginning Thursday.
With the 2025–2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle already underway, deliberations on introducing a two-tier Test format will focus largely on financial distribution and the rules around promotion and relegation. While no changes will be made to the current WTC cycle, any structural shift is likely to take effect only after 2027.
The concept has gained traction, especially with support from influential boards like Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board. The upcoming AGM, chaired by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta, is expected to explore the idea in detail.
While there are no plans to expand the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup could see an increase in participating teams, potentially going up to 24 in future editions. However, any final decision on this front is unlikely before next year. The current T20 World Cup format already includes 20 teams, a number that was increased ahead of the last edition and will remain unchanged at least until 2026.
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, along with Italy’s historic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup—co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka—has further fueled conversations around global expansion.
“Italy’s qualification is being seen as a positive sign of the sport’s growing appeal in new regions. The ICC is eager to engage a broader international audience,” a source told PTI.
Since taking over as ICC Chairman in December 2024, Jay Shah has been actively involved in high-level engagements, including meetings with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 144th IOC Session in Greece and with former IOC chief Thomas Bach earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the ICC is expected to receive a final report on last year’s T20 World Cup, which faced allegations of financial mismanagement. Though unconfirmed officially, it is widely believed that the budget overruns during the tournament held in the USA and West Indies contributed to the resignation of former CEO Geoff Allardice in January.
In membership developments, Zambia is set to be reinstated as an ICC Associate Member after its 2019 suspension, while East Timor is poised to join the ICC as a new Associate Member. Zambia had previously lost its status due to persistent non-compliance with ICC membership criteria, particularly in governance and administrative competence.
