Tag: ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

The PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Monday, demanding the removal of Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the handshake controversy in the India clash.

The fixture, played under a tense backdrop, witnessed unusual scenes from the start, with both captains skipping the customary handshake at the toss.

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According to the PCB, this was on the instructions of match referee Pycroft, a directive they believe went against the spirit of cricket and the MCC’s code of conduct.

“No handshakes were exchanged before or after the match, which is a direct violation of the game’s spirit and long-standing traditions,” the PCB said in its letter, stressing that Andy Pycroft “failed to fulfil his responsibilities as match referee.”

However, according to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC rejected PCB’s request and conveyed their decision formally to the cricket board on Monday night.

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“The ICC has reasoned it out, saying the ACC officials on the ground are understood to have told Pycroft that there will not be any handshake at the toss,” the report stated.

“The ICC letter cleared the air and refuted Pakistan’s belief that the match referee was acting on behalf of the Indian team.”

Meanwhile, ARY News has reported that Pycroft is unlikely to officiate in any matches for Pakistan during the tournament and will be replaced by West Indian Richie Richardson.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2025, including West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales.

Along with Seales, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry and India’s pacer Mohammed Siraj have also been shortlisted due to their stellar performances.

Jayden Seales was pivotal in the West Indies’ success over Pakistan in the ODI series.

Last month, the West Indies defeated Pakistan for the first time in 34 years in an ODI series. Seales showcased his dominance throughout the series, picking up 10 wickets in three matches at a mouth-watering average of 10.

He did not have the best of an outing in the first ODI, with one wicket to his name. However, he made a comeback in the second ODI, picking up three wickets. His best came in the series decider, where he tore through the Pakistan batting line-up.

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He recorded career-best figures of 6-18, which were also the third best by a West Indies bowler in ODI history.

The second on the list, Mohammed Siraj, was named in the list due to his outstanding performance in the final Test against England, which helped India level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

The right-arm pacer remained pivotal throughout the series, particularly in the fifth Test at the Oval, where he scalped nine wickets.

Meanwhile, the third on the list, Matt Henry, was lethal with the ball against Zimbabwe in the Test series, which New Zealand won 2-0. The 33-year-old pacer took 16 wickets in two matches at a stellar average of just 9.12.

Henry rattled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup with a six-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by another three wickets in the second innings to bag the Player of the Match award.

He did not stop there and continued his excellent bowling form in the second Test, bagging another five-wicket haul and picking up two wickets in the second innings to give Black Caps a massive victory of an innings and 359 runs.

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DUBAI: Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has dethroned Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal as the No. 01 bowler in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20I bowling rankings.

In May 2025, Sadia Iqbal de-threw England spinner Sophie Ecclestone from the top position to reclaim the number one spot in the shorter format ranking.

Sadia, 29, had played a crucial role in the Green Shirts’ unbeaten run in the  ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore.

She was also named in the team of the tournament for her nine wickets at an impressive average of 16.

However, Following Sadia’s dip in form, now Sutherland has climbed to the top position for the first time in her career.

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Sadia Iqbal could only manage to scalp three wickets in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Ireland.

She now sits in second place, tied with India’s Deepti Sharma at 732 points.

On the other hand, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast reached a career-best ranking after having a stellar series against Pakistan.

Prendergast was pivotal in Ireland’s 2-1 victory over Pakistan. She scored 144 runs in the three matches at a strike rate of 135.84 along with four scalps, eventually earning her player of the series award.

Orla Prendergast is now in 19th position after jumping eight spots and sixth in the all-rounder rankings.

READ: Shai Hope joins elite list with sublime century against Pakistan

The England Cricket Board (ECB) has shared its views on the proposed two-tier Test structure amid fear of losing key rivalries against India and Australia.

Last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) formed a team to propose recommendations for saving the longest form of the game amid a packed cricket schedule.

The debate over the two-tier Test system has persisted for over 15 years, with the ICC indicating its support for the concept as early as 2009. However, full members remain divided on the issue for various reasons.

The revamped Two-tier Test system will involve an expansion from the present nine-team format to two divisions of six.

Last week, ECB Chairman Richard Thompson shared his views in an interview with a British news outlet.

“There’s a lot of options that we’ve got to look at – tiers would be one of them,” he said.

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“We wouldn’t want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don’t play Australia and India? That couldn’t happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here,” he added.

Moreover, Thompson lauded South Africa for winning the World Test Championship title (WTC) and backed the notion for improving the WTC structure.

On the other hand, Cricket Australia’s (CA) CEO, Todd Greenberg, has echoed similar sentiments; however, he remains open to changes for the survival of Test cricket.

“When I say we, those three countries that [are] putting resources and energy into Test cricket, what role do we have to help others make sure that they step up because it’s in our interest to see a strong West Indies, a strong Pakistan, New Zealand, [and] South Africa,” he explained.

“We want those countries being strong in this format of the game, but clearly they’re going to need help. They can’t do it alone. It’s incumbent on all of cricket to help,” Greenberg said.

He emphasized changes, stressing the more opportunities for other countries to be stronger, meanwhile stating that if the goal is not achieved, he will no longer support the model.

“My open mind is in reference to, if it helps grow the opportunities for those other countries to be stronger, and have better resources in Test match cricket, if it does that, then I’m open for it,” he said.

“But if it doesn’t achieve that, and it actually affects the opposite, then I wouldn’t be supportive,” he concluded.

READ: Prendergast stars as Ireland beat Pakistan in T20I series opener

The Pakistan cricket team is likely to be headed to Division Two of the newly proposed Test structure, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a radical change to the longest format of the game, according to a report from a British news outlet.

According to the report, the teams are set to be divided into divisions based on the current ICC Test rankings. Division one could most likely involve the World Test Champions (WTC) South Africa, New Zealand, India, England, and Australia.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Ireland are set to be included in Division Two.

The ICC formed an eight-member team to finalize the proposed changes to the board by the end of 2025. The decision was taken during the first annual general meeting (AGM) held in Singapore under the newly appointed all-Indian leadership.

The proposed changes will take effect for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle, scheduled to run from 2027 to 2029. The revamped Two-tier Test system will involve an expansion from the present nine-team format to two divisions of six.

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Sanjog Gupta, ICC’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will lead an eight-member working group alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) chief executives.

However, the radical change will require the support of a two-thirds majority of the ICC’s 12 full members, as well as addressing challenges to the procedure regarding promotion and relegation between divisions.

Moreover, increased financial support will also be required for countries featured in Division Two.

For the unversed, the newly proposed two-division concept of Test cricket first emerged from  meetings between CA and the ECB during the women’s Ashes last January.

CA has notably backed the Two-tier Test system, suggesting that Australia, England, and India should play against each other twice every three years, rather than the current format of two series every four years.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has increased its support for displaced women cricketers of Afghanistan to help them return to play.

Most were forced into exile when the Taliban regained power in 2021 and then effectively outlawed women from playing sport.

Many fled to Australia and held a match — without their official crest — in Melbourne earlier this year.

The ICC’s annual conference in Singapore at the weekend heard that progress had been made on the governing body’s Afghanistan women’s cricket initiative.

“The programme aims to deliver structured support,” the ICC said in a statement late Sunday.

It includes “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 statement continued, without giving details.

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But reports said it will enable Afghanistan women players the chance to speak to fellow international cricketers and attend workshops conducted by coaches at the global showpieces.

The initiative is a collaborative effort by the cricket boards of India, England, and Australia under the supervision of ICC deputy chair Imran Khwaja.

Moreover, the ICC also announced that England will host the upcoming editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) final until 2031.

The decision to hand over the hosting rights to England was made in light of the successful hosting of previous editions of the WTC finals.

England has previously hosted the inaugural 2021 edition, as well as the 2023 and 2025 editions.

For the unversed, South Africa is the current holder of the ICC WTC title, having defeated the defending champions Australia in the final held at the iconic Lord’s in the previous month.

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SINGAPORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday announced that England will host the upcoming editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) final until 2031. 

The WTC decision was taken during the ICC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Singapore where several key resolutions were taken.

The decision to hand over the hosting rights to England was made in light of the successful hosting of previous editions of the WTC finals. England has previously hosted the inaugural 2021 edition, as well as the 2023 and 2025 editions.

For the unversed, South Africa is the current holder of the ICC WTC title, having defeated the defending champions Australia in the final held at the iconic Lord’s in the previous month.

WTC final venues and winners so far:

1) New Zealand, 2021 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton

2) Australia, 2023 at The Oval, London

3) South Africa, 2025 at Lord’s, London

The ICC has also made a decision regarding Afghanistan’s women’s cricket. To support displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent, the ICC is providing valuable engagement opportunities at various events.

This includes the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the T20 World Cup in England next year, and access to high-performance programs and domestic playing opportunities.

The initiative is being advanced through a collaborative effort led by the ICC under the supervision of Deputy Chair Mr Imran Khwaja, in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Cricket Australia (CA).

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Apart from that, the ICC also announced the global winners of the 2024 ICC Development Awards during its annual AGM meeting.

The initiative, launched in 2002, celebrates the innovation and growth of the sport worldwide. Bhutan, Indonesia, Namibia, Nepal, Scotland, Tanzania, the USA, and Vanuatu are the eight Members receiving top honours.

At the annual meeting, the ICC also welcomed two new Members, with the Timor Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union being included as Associate Members, bringing the ICC’s total membership to 110.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for June 2025, featuring South Africa’s Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka.

South African opener Aiden Markram was included in the list after playing a vital role in the Proteas’ maiden ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title.

Markram demonstrated his all-round ability in the match, first with the ball and then with the willow. He broke a crucial 79-run stand between Steve Smith and Beau Webster in the first innings.

Aiden Markram removed the well-set Smith (66) on the sixth ball of his first over just at the stroke of lunch. Moreover, he also broke Australia’s last-wicket 59-run stand between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in their second attempt, which gave them a healthy lead of 74 runs.

After getting out on duck in the first innings, Aiden Markram came back with a match-winning 136-run knock while chasing a challenging 282-run target, hence ending South Africa’s 27-year wait for an ICC trophy.

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Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s pace attack in the WTC final, taking a fiery five-wicket haul in the first innings to rattle Australia for a meager total of 212.

South Africa were bowled out for 138 in their first essay, but Kagiso Rabada stood tall again, not letting the defending champions post an imposing total. The 30-year-old turned the match on its head after removing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a short period.

The right-arm pacer took nine wickets in the match, which moved him to fourth position among South Africa’s all-time Test wicket-takers with 336 scalps to his name.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka featured in the list based on his stellar performances in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Nissanka started Sri Lanka’s WTC cycle with a career-best in the series opener. He scored a monumental 187 runs with the aid of 24 boundaries and a six, helping his team reach closer to Bangladesh’s mammoth 495-run total.

After Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 247 in the second Test, the right-handed batter was equally impressive, scoring 158 runs on a turning pitch, which helped the Islanders secure a decisive 211-run lead.

Pathum Nissanka’s heroics eventually helped Sri Lanka clinch the series 1-0 as they defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs.

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Monday, named Sanjog Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a senior official at India’s key broadcaster of the game.

Gupta, the ICC’s seventh CEO, succeeds Geoff Allardice, who resigned from the post in January after four years in office.

Gupta was broadcaster JioStar’s chief executive for sports and live experiences.

ICC chairman Jay Shah said Gupta “brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialisation, which will be invaluable for the ICC”.

“I am pleased to announce that Sanjog Gupta has been appointed as the CEO of the ICC,” Shah said.

“Sanjog brings extensive experience in sports strategy and commercialisation, which will be invaluable for the ICC.

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“His deep understanding of the global sports as well as M&E landscape, combined with his continued curiosity about the cricket fan’s perspective and passion for technology, will prove essential in our ambition to grow the game in the coming years.

“Our goal is to move beyond traditional boundaries and establish cricket as a regular sport in the Olympics, growing its expanse across the world and deepening its roots in its core markets.”

The role attracted more than 2,500 applications from candidates across 25 countries, the ICC said.

“These are exciting times for the sport as marquee events grow in stature, commercial avenues widen, and opportunities such as the women’s game scale in popularity,” Gupta said in a statement.

“Cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the rapid acceleration of technology deployment/adoption could act as force-multipliers for the cricket movement around the world.”

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly preparing to take stern action against USA Cricket (USAC) as the governing body’s 12-month notice period for governance reforms nears its end, according to international media.

The notice, issued in July 2024, came after the ICC flagged serious concerns over USAC’s internal structure, ranging from a lack of transparency and operational inefficiencies to persistent governance lapses.

In response, the ICC had appointed a normalisation committee tasked with steering USAC back to stability.

However, sources within the global body suggest that little tangible progress has been made over the past year, raising the possibility of a suspension.

“There’s been more resistance than reform,” one unnamed ICC official was quoted as saying. “We’ve provided ample time and support. The lack of progress is no longer acceptable.”

The official’s comments reflect growing frustration within the ICC over USAC’s inability, or unwillingness, to implement the necessary structural changes.

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According to reports, internal resistance within the USAC board and ineffective leadership have repeatedly hampered the committee’s efforts.

Earlier this month, an ICC delegation visited Los Angeles for urgent meetings with officials from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and members of the normalisation committee.

The visit was described as a last-ditch effort to assess whether the USA cricket board had taken any meaningful steps toward reform.

During the meetings, ICC officials reportedly underlined that governance overhaul is non-negotiable, especially with cricket’s return to the Olympic stage looming at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

While no official decision has been made yet, insiders say the clock is ticking. A final verdict is expected ahead of the ICC’s Annual Conference next month, where failure to demonstrate clear leadership reforms could result in USAC’s suspension from the global cricketing community.

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