The International Cricket Council (ICC) is gearing up for its quarterly board meeting in Ahmedabad, with a host of crucial topics on the agenda. As the year’s final meeting approaches, the cricketing world awaits decisions on matters ranging from Sri Lanka Cricket’s suspension to the future of ODI cricket and the revival of a high-performance program for top Associates and some Full Members.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s recent suspension is set to dominate discussions during the ICC board meeting. Conditions for the suspension and the fate of Sri Lanka hosting the men’s under-19 World Cup in January and February will be debated. Imran Khwaja, the ICC’s deputy chair, is expected to play a pivotal role, having previously investigated potential political interference during a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka in May.
Just two days after the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup, discussions around the future of the 50-overs format are expected. There are indications that at least two boards will advocate for the revival of the recently-scrapped 13-team ODI Super League. However, with a new qualification pathway already approved for a 14-team 2027 men’s ODI World Cup, any potential return to the Super League might be deferred until 2028.
Zimbabwe, co-hosts of the 2027 ODI World Cup, are pushing for an analysis of the current World Cup to gauge its global popularity. The comparison with other sporting events, like the Rugby World Cup, is seen as a critical evaluation of cricket’s standing on the global stage.
The ICC’s high-performance program scrapped late last decade after running for 15 years, is set for a revival. Initially aimed at top Associate nations, the program will now involve Full Members Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and possibly others. This resurrection is part of the ICC’s effort to establish development programs through funds from its next four-year commercial cycle, fostering more fixtures, including A tours and women’s cricket matches.
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The distribution model for the 2024-27 cycle is expected to divert some funds into a retained surplus fund totalling US$100 million a year. This fund, invested and distributed back to members at a later time, aims to address uncertainty over future media rights deals. While Full Members will contribute significantly to this fund, some members, like Ireland, express concerns about the impact on their infrastructure development plans.
Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a landmark decision, and the board is set to formalize this inclusion. Discussions will likely revolve around qualification pathways for cricket’s return to the Olympic stage. Some boards are optimistic about expanding the participation to more than six teams per gender in subsequent Olympics post-Los Angeles.
