Pakistan has secured the right to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, a historic milestone that marks the first time the country will stage a major women’s cricket tournament. The announcement came out of an ICC Board meeting held in Ahmedabad, where governing members worked through a wide-ranging agenda covering tournaments, playing rules, and the evolving dynamics of global cricket.
One significant condition attached to the hosting arrangement follows the established hybrid model that governs ICC events involving both Pakistan and India. Under this framework, any matches featuring India will be held at a neutral venue outside Pakistan, consistent with the protocol applied to recent bilateral or multi-team tournaments involving both nations.
“Pakistan’s selection as host underscores growing confidence in the country’s cricketing infrastructure and its readiness to showcase women’s cricket on the world stage.”
Pink Ball Trial and Amended Match Conditions
Beyond the hosting news, the ICC Board greenlit a trial for the use of the pink ball in Test cricket. The experiment will proceed only with the mutual consent of both competing teams, and is designed to limit disruptions that arise due to fading natural light — a recurring frustration in the longer format of the game.
T20 Internationals will also see a revised innings break, now extended to 15 minutes. The change, applicable to all future matches in the format, is aimed at better accommodating broadcast schedules and providing players with adequate recovery time between innings.
Women’s Champions Trophy Rescheduled
The ICC also announced a revised window for the Women’s Champions Trophy 2027. The competition, originally slotted for the June-July period, will now run from February 14 to February 28, 2027. No official reason was given for the calendar shift, though scheduling conflicts with other events are widely understood to have played a role.
Expanded Emerging Nations Trophy and New T20 Qualifier
The upcoming Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 has been expanded to include ten teams — a combination of five Full Member nations alongside five Associate Member sides — reflecting the ICC’s broader effort to grow the game beyond its traditional strongholds.
On the men’s side, a new 16-team global qualifying competition for the T20 World Cup was approved. The additional qualifying pathway is designed to give emerging cricketing nations greater opportunity to compete at the sport’s highest level.
Cricket Canada Suspended; Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Under Review
In a notable governance development, Cricket Canada has had its ICC membership suspended following serious concerns over regulatory compliance. Despite the suspension, Canadian national teams retain eligibility to participate in ICC-sanctioned competitions during this period.
The ICC additionally confirmed that a two-member delegation will travel to Bangladesh to examine several governance matters, including oversight of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s electoral procedures. A comparable visit to Sri Lanka has already concluded.
Franchise Cricket’s Rise Prompts Committee Formation
Reflecting the rapid proliferation of franchise-based leagues worldwide, the ICC Board expressed concern over the potential strain this growth places on the international fixture calendar. A dedicated committee has been established to explore how international cricket can coexist and thrive alongside the expanding ecosystem of domestic franchise competitions.
For Pakistan, however, the standout outcome of the Ahmedabad meeting remains the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup hosting rights — a development that further cements the country’s standing as a credible and enthusiastic host of international cricket events.
