ICC’s masterplan for T20 World Cup. (Photo- PTI)
ICC T20 World Cup Expansion: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is going to take a big step towards making cricket a truly global sport. According to media reports, after the successful organization of 20 teams in the T20 World Cup of 2024 and 2026, now the ICC is considering a plan to expand this tournament to 24 teams and then to 32 countries. This change may be implemented from the edition of 2030 or 2032.
How will the new format be with 24 teams?
After Zimbabwe defeating Australia and Sri Lanka in the 2026 T20 World Cup and associate teams like Nepal and Italy giving a tough competition to England, the demand for giving more opportunities to emerging countries has strengthened. The format of the 2028 T20 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand is being considered as the first step in this expansion. If 24 teams participate in the upcoming edition, then the format of the tournament will also become very exciting.
First of all, 6 groups of 4 teams each will be formed. Then the top 2 teams from each group will move forward and enter the Super-12 round. After this, the best teams will travel to the knockout and finals. This structure will give a bigger platform to small countries.
Which countries will benefit the most?
Based on the current T20 ranking, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Italy and Hong Kong will get direct benefits if the number of teams is increased from 20 to 24. Apart from this, the possibilities will also increase for emerging cricketing nations like America, Canada, Nepal, Nigeria and Germany.
Recently, the ICC’s decision to reduce the number of teams in the main event of the 2027 ODI World Cup from 14 to 12 was strongly criticized by the Associate countries and the World Cricketers Association (WCA). However, this new plan to expand the T20 format and the return of cricket after 128 years in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has once again given a new ray of hope to the Associate countries.
