ICC approves usage of Pink Ball in middle of red-ball Tests after Ahmedabad board meeting

The International Cricket Council (ICC) concluded its Board meetings in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday, May 31, and announced a series of decisions aimed at strengthening governance, supporting women’s cricket, enhancing global competition structures, and fostering innovation in the game.

1. Regulations

The ICC Board approved several recommendations from the Chief Executives Committee, including the following:

• Trialling the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light.
• Undertaking research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light, with ICC co-funding R&D projects alongside Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
• Enabling match officials to access Hawk-Eye data when considering reporting an illegal bowling action.
• Updates to the Playing Conditions to allow head coaches or their designees to consult with teams during scheduled drinks intervals, mandate 15-minute intervals in T20I matches, and require batters to be ready at the resumption of play.
• Permanent adoption of the leg-side wides trial.
• Adoption of all remaining MCC Laws of Cricket changes effective 1 October 2026.
• Updates to the Classification of Official Cricket, confirming that teams in the CWC Challenge League remain eligible to play other List A limited overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle.

2. Women’s Cricket

ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027:

The ICC Board approved a change to the window for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027, moving the tournament from June-July to 14–28 February 2027.

ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026:

The ICC will pilot the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 as a 10-team event featuring five Full Members and five Associate Members, selected based on rankings and prior T20 World Cup qualification.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 - Qualification Pathway:

The Board endorsed the recommended qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, to be hosted by the PCB, with India matches played at a neutral venue.

A 12-team tournament.

Automatic qualification for 10 teams, including the top eight teams from the ICC WT20WC 2026, the host (if not already qualified), and the next highest-ranked teams on the ICC Women’s T20I rankings as of 6 July 2026.

The remaining two teams will be determined through a 10-team Global Qualifier underpinned by Regional Qualifiers, with regional allocations to be confirmed at the ICC July meetings.

3. Associate Members

The ICC Board approved the recommendation to establish a Global Qualifier for ICC Men’s T20 World Cups. Management has been tasked with finalising a competition structure and qualification pathway for a 16-team Global Qualifier. This will be presented to the relevant committees for consideration at the next round of ICC meetings.

4. Membership Status

Cricket Canada

The ICC Board resolved to suspend Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect due to serious breaches of its membership obligations.

In taking this decision, the ICC Board was mindful of the importance of protecting the interests of Canadian players and ensuring they are not disadvantaged by the governance issues affecting the national governing body. Accordingly, Canadian national representative teams will continue to be eligible to participate in ICC events during the period of suspension.

To support the continued participation and development of the national teams, Cricket Canada will be permitted to access ICC funding through a controlled funding mechanism, under the oversight of ICC management, solely for approved national team programmes.

The ICC will also provide Cricket Canada with a set of reinstatement conditions aimed at addressing the governance and administrative issues identified by the board. The progress against these conditions will be monitored by the ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by ICC management, with reinstatement of membership subject to the board being satisfied that the conditions have been fully met.

Bangladesh & Sri Lanka:

Two ICC Board representatives, Mohammed Moosaje (Cricket South Africa) and Tavengwa Mukuhlani (Zimbabwe Cricket), are scheduled to visit Bangladesh to engage with stakeholders regarding the situation in Bangladesh, including the BCB electoral process.

In Sri Lanka, ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja and Devajit Saikia (BCCI) have visited and met with relevant stakeholders to assess ongoing developments.

5. Franchise cricket oversight

The Board expressed concern regarding the growing expanse of franchise cricket and resolved to form a committee to assess the harmonisation of franchise cricket with the international calendar within the current structure.

"Our discussions in Ahmedabad have reinforced the ICC’s commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally. From women’s cricket and emerging nations to the management of franchise competitions, today’s discussions and decisions aim to ensure that cricket remains fair, competitive, and exciting for fans worldwide," ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.