ICC approves additional 50-over tournament for the next eight-year cycle despite BCCI's concerns

The International Cricket Council – ICC has made a lot of changes during its annual meeting. From re-instating Zimbabwe Cricket back as a full-member to scrapping the boundary count-back rule and increasing the winner’s prize in the Women’s’ World events- T20 World Cup and 50-over World Cup.

However, it has done more things; one that is set to head it towards a confrontation with the richest cricket board in the world. While deciding the next events cycle which starts after the 2023 World Cup in India, the ICC has given its nod for including an extra 50-over tournament, besides the usual Men/Women 50/T20 World Cups and the U19 World events.

“The Board decided that the eight-year cycle commencing in 2023 will comprise eight Men’s events, eight Women’s events, four Men’s U19 events, and four Women’s U19 events,” the ICC said in a release on Monday.

“In examining a whole range of options, the Board felt a major Men’s and Women’s event each year will bring consistency to our calendar whilst complementing bilateral cricket, giving our sport a strong future foundation,” Shashank Manohar, the ICC chairman, said. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the additional tournament could be a six-team affair, similar to Champions Trophy. “It will provide a clear structure and context to enable the growth of the sport and greater engagement opportunities for all of our stakeholders.”

BCCI opposes the additional tournament

However, the BCCI has already raised its apprehensions regarding the same. As per ESPNCricinfo, Rahul Johri- BCCI chief executive officer- had sent an email to his ICC counterpart Manu Sawhney, in which he has warned the ICC that adding another ICC event would have significant ramifications on bilateral cricket.

“At the outset, we would like to inform you that BCCI cannot agree or conform to the post-2023 ICC events calendar and the proposed additional ICC events, at this stage. The BCCI stands committed to bilateral cricket and would have continuing time requirements as in the current FTP. It is important for BCCI to fulfill all its bilateral commitments to fellow full members,” Johri wrote in his email to Sawhney.

The decision by the ICC has reinstated the global calendar as it was before the Big 3 implemented their own in 2015. 

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