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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to restart discussions regarding the future format and overall structure of the World Test Championship (WTC). The governing body will review the proposals for the red-ball competition during its upcoming administrative meetings next week.
The ICC Chief Executive Committee will hold a virtual meeting on May 21. Following that session, the ICC Board will hold an in-person meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30 and 31. The current World Test Championship cycle will conclude in June 2027 with the final match at Lord’s Cricket Ground, England.
ICC Working Group proposes to expand the World Test Championship to 12 teams
A working group led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose was formed last year to review the future structure of the WTC. The panel studied the current format and prepared recommendations for possible changes. The group later submitted its report to the ICC for further discussion.
According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, one of the key proposals is to expand the World Test Championship from nine teams to 12 teams.
If approved, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan will join the competition along with current full members. The ICC believes that expansion can increase the global relevance and competitiveness of Test cricket.
ICC to discuss proposal for a Test series for future World Test Championship cycles
The Working Group also reviewed the scheduling difficulties faced by cricket boards when arranging long bilateral Test tours. To make room for Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan in the calendar, the committee discussed changes to the current series structure and points system used in the WTC.
The second proposal is to allow official World Test Championship points to be kept in a Test series. Under the current rules, participating teams will be required to play a minimum of two Test series as part of their WTC commitments. Each team is also required to schedule three home series and three away series during the two-year cycle.
ICC shifts key meetings to Ahmedabad as Pakistan’s participation remains unclear
The upcoming ICC meetings are part of the governing body’s regular quarterly schedule. However, officials changed the original plan and location for these meetings after regional geopolitical developments made it difficult to continue earlier arrangements.
The meetings were originally scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar between March and April, but were later shifted to Ahmedabad. As a result, the manner of Pakistan Cricket Board’s involvement remains unclear.
Under normal circumstances, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi would attend in person, but the current political tension between India and Pakistan has created uncertainty over his travel plans.
The current future tour program will end next March. The FTP involves a bilateral series between member boards, although the ICC must approve the final composition. Officials hope to make progress on the proposed WTC changes during the May meetings without immediately finalizing the new format.
The ICC is expected to take further regulatory decisions during its Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh in July. This meeting will start after the Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in England from June 12 to July 5.
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