• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Icc Agm Two New Teams Major Changes To Wtc And T20 World Cup Expansion On Cards

ICC AGM: Two New Teams, Major Changes To WTC, And T20 World Cup Expansion On Cards

Abhinav Tyagi

ICC AGM - (Source : @Johns/X.com)ICC AGM - (Source : @Johns/X.com)

On Thursday, July 17, the ICC will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where reports suggest that the International Cricket Council is set to discuss several key issues such as new associate members, major changes to the WTC, and expansion of the T20 World Cup.

Two New Associate Nations On The Cards

According to a report from PTI, the ICC is set to re-introduce Zambia as an associate member. At present, there are 96 associate nations, but Zambia were suspended in 2019 due to "continued non-compliance" to amend multiple breaches of the ICC's Membership Criteria.

Further, East Timor are all set to be introduced as an associate member for the first time in their history, making another Asian country to be a part of the ICC. 

Two-Tier System For Test Cricket

Not just that, but the Jay Shah-governed council is all set to discuss the introduction of a two-tier system for Test cricket. At present, a WTC cycle goes on for two years with nine teams taking part.

Earlier, there were reports that the MCC wants the ICC to introduce a two-tier system with a promotion and relegation system. The top teams play in the first tier, while associate nations with Test status in the second tier. 

The ICC might discuss the plan, but it won't be possible to implement it till 2027, which is the end of the current Test cycle. 

T20 World Cup Expansion In Plan

Another major change that the ICC is planning is to expand the T20 World Cup. At present, there are twenty teams, but the qualification of teams like Italy have shed positive light that the format is growing. Thus, the ICC is planning to expand the tournament to 24 teams.

"Italy's qualification for the World Cup is being viewed as a sign of cricket gaining some traction with new nations, and the governing body is keen to connect with a wider audience," a source privy to the development informed PTI.

Notably, the meeting will be chaired by ICC chairman Jay Shah.