ICC board grapples with cricket’s wide-ranging global issues

On Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, the day of the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad, the International Cricket Council conducted board meetings in the same city. According to the subsequent press release, the outcome was “a series of decisions aimed at strengthening governance, supporting women’s cricket, enhancing global competition structures and fostering innovation in the game.”

We should all applaud those headline intentions, but what lies behind them needs to be unpicked.    

Starting with women’s cricket, it is mainly good news. A Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 will be piloted as a 10-team event featuring five full members and five associate members. This marks a change from the inaugural edition in Bangkok in November 2025, when it was limited to eight associate nations. The Thai team, which won the tournament on net run rate, will be hoping to be included, as will the four teams which were placed behind Thailand — the UAE, Netherlands, Scotland and Papua New Guinea. The inclusion of full member teams is aimed at providing developing players with increased exposure against stronger opposition. It also reflects an attempt to provide wider opportunities for international women’s cricket beyond traditional global events.

The qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, to be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board, was endorsed. It will be a 12-team event, with automatic qualification for 10 teams. The other two will emerge from a 10-team global qualifier. India’s matches will be played at a neutral venue under the hybrid model. A change was approved to the window for the four-yearly ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027, moving the tournament from June-July to Feb. 14-28, 2027. This