What to expect from the ICC Annual Conference 2025 in Singapore from 17 to 20 July?

Test Cricket’s Future

One of the main discussions will be a revolutionary plan to split Test nations into two divisions. This will mean promotion and relegation, where weaker teams can go to the lower tier, and strong teams like India, England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand could come up in one group. However, this will have no impact on the current World Test Championship (2025-27). If the plan is discussed and accepted, it will come into effect only after the 2027 cycle. According to the report, Australia and England are strong supporters of this model. 

"If it (split Test nation plan) is based on promotion and relegation, it will have some support. If it's not like that, then the two divisions are useless. It makes no sense and has no context. We will not support it," Zimbabwe Cricket Board President Tawengwa Mukuhlani said in April. However, discussions on the two divisions have been informal so far. Issues such as promotions and demotions, as well as how funds will be distributed, are still stuck. 

ODI Super League

There are also hopes of talks on the ODI format of cricket. Some boards are pushing for the reintroduction of the ODI Super League with 13 teams, although a new qualification route for the 2027 World Cup with 14 teams has already been approved. There appears to be no desire to expand the ODI World Cup, so no decision is expected on this issue as for now.

Expanded T20 World Cup

In the T20 Format, the ICC may consider adding more teams to the World Cup 2026. Currently, 20 teams play in this tournament. The number will remain the same in next year's edition, while 16 teams participated from 2016-22. But some Cricket Boards think that at least 24 teams are needed for future T20 World Cups. Moreover, with Italy's recent qualification, which made global headlines, being seen as evidence that cricket's depth is expanding beyond traditional grounds.

Olympic 2028 Qualifying Format

There are some reports that momentum is building for T20 qualification tournaments, rather than rankings, to determine which countries qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The six-team T20 men's and women's competitions will be played in Pomona from July 12 to 29. Allocations through the ICC's T20 rankings at the cut-off date were considered likely outcomes, but it has since been revealed that a qualifier - likely to feature the top-performing Associate nations - is then under strong consideration among several proposals. 

A combination of ranking and qualifying tournaments, also used in some other Olympic sports, is another option, while the United States, as host country, is likely to receive at least one automatic spot. Supporters of the ranking argue that it is cost-efficient and reduces the logistical difficulties of holding qualifiers amid cricket's increasingly busy schedule. The stance of major cricket nations India, Australia, and England on this is yet unknown.

2024 T20 WC Inquiry update

The controversy surrounding last year's T20 World Cup, which was marred by allegations of excessive spending, will also be discussed. Many believe that the financial mismanagement during the 2024 tournament in the US and the West Indies was the reason for former ICC CEO Geoff Allardice's resignation in January. 

Deputy chairman Imran Khwaja has led the investigation, which also includes an audit of the American leg, which hosted 16 of the event's 55 matches. Particular attention is being paid to the modular stadium in New York, and whether there has been a huge cost overrun at the ground, which has been criticised for its slow drop-in pitch. The ground, which hosted eight matches including the India-Pakistan match, was built in just a few months and cost an estimated $30 million. It was demolished the day after it hosted the final match at this venue. Sanjog Gupta is expected to present a final update on the issue.

USA Cricket faces suspension

USA Cricket could be suspended from ICC membership, which would impact its funding and playing opportunities. The governing body was put on 'notice' at last year's annual general meeting due to administrative issues, as its funding is controlled by the ICC. If it is still found that he does not follow the rules, he will be suspended and ultimately expelled from membership. There has been considerable debate over the state of American cricket, with the event taking place just three years after the Los Angeles Olympics, and the US is a target market for the ICC, causing concern among some other associate members.

Two countries to receive ICC membership

The ICC is also likely to approve Zambia's return as an Associate Member after its suspension in 2019. The suspension was due to ongoing problems with Zambia's administrative structure and functioning. With this, East Timor can be added as a new ICC council member. Elections for associate members of the Chief Executive Committee (CEC) are also expected to be held in Singapore.

Latest updates from ICC Annual Conference

The ICC Annual Conference came to a close in Singapore, and the apex body of international cricket announced the various outcomes from their meeting. Gurumurthy Palani (France Cricket), Anuraag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong, China), and Gurdeep Klair (Cricket Canada) replaced Sumod Damodar (Botswana Cricket Association), Rashpal Bajwa (Cricket Canada), and Umair Butt (Cricket Denmark) as the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee as Associate Member representatives. In a statement, the ICC announced the following outcomes from the conference.

USA Cricket asked to hold elections

The ICC has once again asked USA Cricket to undertake governance reforms, including but not limited to conducting a free and fair election within a three-month period. Earlier, it was reported that the members of the international cricket body will be discussing banning the USA Cricket Board. 

Support for the upliftment of displaced Afghanistan women cricketers 

The ICC discussed the latest updates from the program that supports the displaced women cricketers from Afghanistan. The initiative to provide the affected players with equal chances is being led by the international body itself, along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA). 

The support to the players will be provided in a structured manner. This will allow these players an opportunity to play domestic cricket as well as participate in ICC tournaments, including Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. 

Two new members inducted into ICC

The ICC members increased from 108 to 110 as Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and Zambia Cricket Union were formally inducted as Associate Nations. 

England to host WTC Final till 2031

The World Test Championship (WTC) Final has got its host settled till 2031, with England projected to hold the marquee clash till 2031. The three finals earlier had also taken place in England only with New Zealand (2021), Australia (2023), and South Africa (2025) winning it once each.