Business Recorder
Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced following its Board meeting in Ahmedabad on Monday. The tournament will mark a major milestone for women’s cricket in Pakistan, which has increasingly hosted international cricket events in recent years. Under the existing ICC arrangement between Pakistan and India, matches involving India during the tournament will be played at a neutral venue. The ICC board approved the event as part of a series of decisions covering tournament scheduling, playing conditions and governance matters. Among the key changes, the governing body approved a trial permitting the use of the pink ball in Test matches when both participating teams agree, a move aimed at reducing playing time lost to poor light. The ICC also extended the innings break in Twenty20 Internationals to 15 minutes. In women’s cricket, the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 was rescheduled and will now take place from February 14 to 28, 2027, instead of the previously planned June-July window. The board further confirmed that the Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 will feature 10 teams, including five Full Members and five Associate Members. To expand qualification opportunities, the ICC approved a new 16-team global qualifying tournament for the Men’s T20 World Cup. On governance issues, the ICC suspended the membership of the Canada Cricket Board over what it described as serious breaches. However, Canada’s national team will remain eligible to participate in ICC competitions. The cricket body also announced that a two-member delegation will visit Bangladesh to review various matters, including the electoral process of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The delegation has already completed a similar visit to Sri Lanka. Expressing concern over the rapid expansion of franchise cricket worldwide, the ICC Board decided to establish a committee to examine ways of balancing the international calendar with franchise-based leagues while preserving the existing structure of the game.
Go to News Site