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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kicked off its highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week in Singapore. With new leadership at the helm, including CEO Sanjog Gupta and Chairman Jay Shah, the governing body is expected to make significant decisions that could reshape global cricket, especially in the U.S.
T20 Olympic Hopes Heat Up for Los Angeles 2028
One of the standout discussions involves the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The ICC is leaning towards using T20 qualification tournaments, rather than rankings alone, to determine the participating teams. This could open the door for emerging nations to shine on the Olympic stage. While India, England, and Australia haven’t clearly expressed their stance, there’s growing momentum to allow the U.S. an automatic qualification as host nation.
⦿ T20 Olympic Format (Proposed):
- 6 Men’s Teams & 6 Women’s Teams
- Tournament Dates: July 12–29, 2028
- Location: Pomona, California (East of Los Angeles)
A hybrid method—combining world rankings with qualifying matches—is also under discussion to make the process fair and logistically manageable.
Test Cricket May Get a Two-Tier Format
The ICC is also evaluating a bold proposal to split Test-playing nations into two divisions to add more competitiveness and context.
However, this plan is facing resistance due to unclear revenue sharing and potential unfair relegation rules. Smaller cricket boards like Zimbabwe insist any division model must include promotion-relegation structure and fair funding distribution to gain support.
Meanwhile, the World Test Championship Final is expected to stay in England, keeping tradition alive for now.
T20 World Cup Expansion Under Review
With the success of the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, the ICC is planning to increase the number of teams in future tournaments.
- 2022: 16 teams
- 2024: 20 teams
- Future Vision: Possibly 24 teams, including more Associate Nations
The qualification of Italy in the recent tournament added excitement and proved that the game’s growth outside traditional nations is real.
Scrutiny on USA Cricket: Suspension Looms
One of the most controversial issues is the status of USA Cricket, which is currently under investigation for governance failures. If the board fails to meet compliance requirements, it could face suspension or even expulsion from the ICC.
🔴 Key Concern Areas:
- Financial mismanagement
- Weak governance structure
- Delays in program execution
This is particularly alarming as the U.S. is a major focus market for the ICC, especially with the Olympics approaching.
Inquiry into New York Stadium Costs
A review report has been completed regarding the $30 million modular stadium built in Long Island, New York, for the T20 World Cup. The stadium, which hosted high-profile matches including India vs Pakistan, faced heavy criticism for its poor pitch conditions.
🔍 The ICC board is expected to receive recommendations and take further action if mismanagement is confirmed.
Other Topics at the AGM
🟡 ODI Super League Revival
Although already scrapped, some boards are pushing to bring it back to enhance competitiveness in 50-over cricket.
🟡 Asia Cup Uncertainty
While not directly under ICC’s control, discussions are expected over the 2025 Asia Cup, with tensions between India and Pakistan threatening the tournament’s execution. The UAE has been considered a backup host if diplomatic issues escalate.
🟡 New ICC Members on the Horizon
- Zambia is set to return as an Associate Member after suspension in 2019.
- East Timor may be added as a new ICC member for the first time.
🟡 Associate Voting Review
There are growing calls to review the voting system and funding scorecard for Associate nations, with transparency being a top concern.
Conclusion: Cricket’s Future Eyes the U.S. Market
From Olympic dreams to Test cricket reforms, and USA Cricket’s future hanging in the balance—the 2025 ICC AGM is shaping up to be a turning point for global cricket. As the spotlight turns toward America, the ICC’s decisions will play a key role in defining cricket’s success in non-traditional markets and on international sports platforms like the Olympics.
