The International Cricket Council`s (ICC) four-day Annual General Meeting (AGM), commencing Thursday, is set to feature key discussions that could shape the future of international cricket. Central to the agenda is the much-debated two-tier Test format, which, while unlikely to be implemented before 2027, will be explored in detail. As the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025–27) proceeds unchanged, discussions will focus on the financial implications of a two-tier structure and the conditions governing promotion and relegation.
Strong backing for the proposed system has come from influential boards such as Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ICC Chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta will preside over the deliberations. Though changes to the current cycle are not anticipated, the potential restructuring of Test cricket post-2027 remains a serious point of consideration.
Another major topic at the AGM will be the possible expansion of the T20 World Cup. While the 50-over World Cup is expected to retain its current size, the ICC is exploring the idea of increasing the T20 format to include up to 24 teams. Currently, the T20 World Cup features 20 nations, following the addition of four teams since the previous edition. This format is expected to continue through the 2026 tournament.
Cricket’s scheduled return to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, alongside Italy’s historic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has added momentum to the expansion plans. According to insiders as per news agency PTI, Italy’s progress is being seen as an encouraging sign of the sport’s growing reach among emerging nations, prompting the ICC to consider tapping into newer global markets.
Since assuming office in December 2024, Shah has made significant diplomatic moves to enhance cricket’s global footprint. Notably, he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece, in March, and also held discussions with former IOC President Thomas Bach earlier in the year.
The AGM will also address governance matters, including an inquiry into financial irregularities during the previous T20 World Cup hosted jointly by the USA and West Indies. Although no official statement has been released, it is widely believed that financial mismanagement contributed to the resignation of former ICC CEO Geoff Allardice in January 2025.
