ICC plans to expand the men’s ODI World Cup to 14 teams
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From the next cycle onward, the International Cricket Council (ICC) plans to broaden the reach of the ODI World Cup. There has been endless discussion of extending the competition to 16 teams; however, the ICC will likely settle for a 14-team format, which has been held three times previously in 2003, 2011, and 2015. In 2023, India will host the next 50-over tournament.
The current ten-team format has drawn widespread scrutiny because associate teams are unable to compete in the mega competition. Ireland and Zimbabwe, both full participants, were unable to participate in the championship in 2019. The 14-team tournament is most likely in place to ensure that more India games are televised, allowing the broadcaster to gain financial benefit. The ICC representatives have been debating the scale of the World Cup through virtual conferences over the last few months.
A few members of ICC have indicated that a 14-team format for the ODI World Cup in the next eight-year term, from 2023 to 31, is rapidly gaining traction. There was a demand for 16 teams like there was in 2007, but the majority of people are opposed to the proposal.
ICC is considering moving venues for the T20 World Cup
Considering the ICC’s need to reach out to the market for media rights partners and sponsors, the need to finalize the format of global events in the cycle remains urgent. With the current COVID-19 pandemic as a roadblock, ICC maybe now behind time. Since the broadcasting rights are scheduled to be sold by 2022, ICC needs to have an eight-year plan ready by the end of this year.
The ICC’s next major decision is whether the cycle should have six or eight World Cups. In 2019, an eight-event cycle was agreed in general, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)s questionable attendance at one meeting. The BCCI was later taken over by elected management, which has made some noises, but the current feeling is that ICC decision-makers are optimistic that they will be able to persuade the BCCI to abandon its objections to the one World Cup a year proposal. On this, more clarity is required, but agreement is being reached. In the coming days, expect to hear more on this subject.
Despite the BCCI’s best efforts to maintain the hosting rights for the T20 World Cup later this year, the UAE remains one of the tournament’s top contenders to host the World Cup due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In the present scenario, the UAE is a favorite because the whole population will be vaccinated, and the government is considering a vaccine tourism program.
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Mohamed Azhar
(370 Articles Published)