ICC Ignores India To Award England WTC Finals Till 2031, Adds 2 New Members

ICC Ignores India To Award England WTC Finals Till 2031, Adds 2 New Members

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 20, 2025, 18:37 IST

The ICC AGM in Singapore awarded the ECB hosting rights for the next three WTC finals. Timor-Leste and Zambia joined as associate members. Decisions on USA cricket were deferred.

England will continue to host the WTC Finals (Picture Credit: X/@ICC)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced several key decisions after its Annual General Meeting (AGM) concluded in Singapore on Sunday.

Among them was awarding the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) the hosting rights for the next three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals (2027, 2029, and 2031), with the international body citing ‘a successful track record in hosting recent finals’.

Recommended Stories

The ECB has had a monopoly over the clash, which has been opposed by some and recently challenged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). But the ICC hasn’t heeded their demands. It was previously said England gets to host the finals because of its weather conditions in July.

New members join the ICC

The ICC also announced the inclusion of the Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union as associate members of the body, taking its total strength to 110.

Update on the Afghan women’s team

The ICC also issued an update on the exiled Afghan women’s cricket team, which is being supported by the three richest boards after the Taliban banned the sport for them back home.

“This initiative is being advanced through a collaborative effort led by the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA), under the supervision of ICC Deputy Chair Mr Imran Khwaja. The programme aims to deliver structured support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England," the ICC said.

More time for USA cricket

The ICC also deferred a decision on the future of USA cricket, which is suffering from administrative issues and had been asked earlier to clean the house.

top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

“ICC reiterated its previous position and confirmed that the organisation remains on notice. USA Cricket is required to undertake comprehensive governance reforms, including but not limited to completing free and fair elections within a three-month period. The Board, however, reserves the right to take such actions as it deems appropriate."

The situation is extra sensitive because the USA will help host and participate in the 2028 Olympics.

view comments

First Published: July 20, 2025, 18:37 IST

News cricket ICC Ignores India To Award England WTC Finals Till 2031, Adds 2 New Members

Click here to read article