The
international cricket Council (ICC) has taken several key decisions at its annual conference held in Singapore. Notably, it has awarded the rights to host the ICC World Test
championship (WTC) finals to be held in 2027, 2029, and 2031 to the
england and
wales cricket Board (ECB). The ICC said the decision was taken in recognition of the ECB's ability to successfully host the recent finals. At a meeting of Associate Members, the ICC made a major announcement about its efforts to support displaced female cricketers of Afghan origin. The initiative, under the supervision of ICC
vice-president Imran Khawaja, is a joint effort of the ICC, the Board of Control for
cricket in
india (BCCI), the
england and
wales cricket Board (ECB), and
cricket Australia (CA).
Under the scheme, support will be provided for domestic playing opportunities and participation in major ICC global events, including the ICC Women's
world cup in
india in 2025 and the ICC Women's
t20 world cup in
england in 2026. The ICC reiterated its previous position on US cricket. It said the US
cricket Board should undertake comprehensive administrative reforms, including holding free and fair
elections within three months. However, the board also reserves the right to take appropriate action. Gurumurthy
palani (France Cricket), Anurag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong, China), and Gurdeep Clair (Cricket Canada) were elected as Associate Member Representatives to the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC). ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardyce and outgoing CEC members Sumath Damodar (Botswana
cricket Association), Rashpal Bajwa (Cricket Canada), and Umair Bhatt (Cricket Denmark) were thanked for their
service to global cricket. The Timor-Leste
cricket Federation and
zambia cricket Union have formally joined the ICC as associate members, bringing the total membership to 110.
The ICC Annual General Meeting also formally adopted the ICC Group’s Annual Report and Audited Accounts for the year 2024, along with the Auditor’s Report.