The International Cricket Council has approved a series of playing-condition changes, new women’s events and governance measures at its Board meetings in Ahmedabad, including a trial of pink balls in Test matches, the suspension of Cricket Canada and updates on ongoing engagement with Sri Lanka Cricket, Newswire reported.
The Board approved a trial allowing the use of a pink ball in Test matches, subject to agreement between both teams, to reduce playing time lost to poor light. Research into new lighting technology for venues and match officials was also approved, and umpires will be authorised to access Hawk-Eye data when reviewing suspected illegal bowling actions. Other playing-condition changes include allowing head coaches or designated representatives to consult players during drinks breaks, making fifteen-minute intervals mandatory in T20 Internationals, and a requirement for batters to be ready when play resumes. The leg-side wides trial has been made permanent, and the remaining changes to the MCC Laws of Cricket take effect from October 2026.
In women’s cricket, the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 has been moved from June-July to February 14-28, 2027. The Board also approved the launch of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in 2026, featuring ten teams made up of five Full Members and five Associate Members. The qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 — to be hosted by Pakistan with India matches played at a neutral venue — was also endorsed, with a twelve-team field.
A new 16-team Global Qualifier structure is being developed for future Men’s T20 World Cups, and the Board agreed to establish a committee to examine how franchise leagues can be better harmonised with the international cricket calendar amid concerns over the continued expansion of franchise cricket worldwide.
On governance, the ICC suspended Cricket Canada with immediate effect over serious breaches of membership obligations, although Canadian national teams will remain eligible to compete in ICC events during the suspension period while the body works towards reinstatement conditions. The Board also provided updates on governance matters in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja and Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Devajit Saikia met relevant SLC stakeholders to assess ongoing developments within the country’s cricket administration, the Board said.
The SLC engagement extends a track opened in mid-May, when an ICC team including a senior BCCI official visited Sri Lanka for talks on the interim transformation committee appointed by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage after Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and the Executive Committee resigned in late April. ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the meeting’s decisions were aimed at strengthening governance, supporting the growth of women’s cricket and ensuring cricket remains competitive and sustainable around the world.
