The ICC today decided to convert the 2021 Champions Trophy scheduled in India into a World T20 event, finally scrapping the eight-team ODI tournament, the context and relevance of which has been questioned repeatedly.
The international cricket body also gave the green light to all T20 matches between members being awarded international status along with plans to introduce global rankings in the format.
At the end of its five-day board meeting, ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said the global body has "unanimously agreed" that the 2021 meet in India would now be a 16-team event in the shortest format.
Richardson's announcement meant that BCCI representative Amitabh Choudhury also voted in favour of the change after the initial opposition to the move.
This means that only for the second time ever, two ICC World T20 events will take place in two years—the 2020 edition in Australia and the 2021 edition in India. The first time it happened was 2009 (England) and 2010 (West Indies).
"The 2021 Champions Trophy in India will now change to World T20. It fits into our strategy of growing the game," Richardson said at a media conference at the end of the meeting.
The move across both men's and women's cricket, is part of the wider strategic aim of using the T20 format to globalise the game.
All member women's teams will be awarded T20I status from July 1 onwards, while all member men's teams will be awarded T20I status from January 1, 2019 following the cut-off point for qualification to the ICC World T20 2020.
also read
- Why many claim Wanindu Hasaranga's Test comeback 'a masterstroke' by Sri Lanka Cricket?
- T20 World Cup 2024: Additional tickets sale date to price details, here are 5 things to remember
- ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2023: Indian cricketers dominate Rohit Sharma-led side
- ICC T20I Team of the Year 2023 announced: Suryakumar Yadav named captain, no Pakistan players as Ugandan all-rounder included!
- ICC T20 Cricketer of the Year 2023: Suryakumar Yadav among 4 nominees
Rankings for women and men will be introduced in October 2018 and May 2019 respectively.
There will be a 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cup, effectively scrapping the very concept of Champions Trophy, a tournament which was described as irrelevant by several critics given the presence of a full-fledged quadrennial World Cup.
"Well, the BCCI representative attended the board meeting and the vote was passed unanimously. So, I don't think that's an issue," said Richardson.
However, Richardson's rationale behind the changes were contradictory in nature.
When asked that ICC often claims about safeguarding longer formats but then is increasing cash-rich T20, he reasoned; "I don't agree with that it's contradictory. In the end we are going to end up with maximum of 12 Test teams."
"The Champions Trophy in a way was too similar to the World Cup, always quite difficult to differentiate. Why you are having a World Cup and then a Champions Trophy? It was difficult.
"And don't forget a 13-team ODI league is a huge step in making sure the 50 over format has much more context going forward," the former Proteas keeper said.
When asked if the 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy looked similar, then how different would be the World T20 in 2020 and 2021, Richardson called the situation a "little bit unfortunate".
"But going forward in the future, every two years World T20, every four years the World Cup and don't forget the ODI League building up to each World Cup," he said.
The ICC Code of Conduct review was also discussed throughout the week, with both the ICC board and member chief executives united in their commitment to address player behaviour.
There was clear direction from both to move towards stricter and heavier sanctions for ball tampering and other offences which were indicative of a lack of respect, this would include abusive language, send-offs and dissent to an umpire's decision.
In parallel with that, the creation of a culture of respect that embodies the spirit of cricket on and off the field of play.
ICC members have signed off a new Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2019-2023 that incorporates the introduction of a World Test Championship.
The board agreed the process by which the ICC chairman will be elected for the next two years from June when current chairman Shashank Manohar's first two-year term expires.