Pakistan Awarded Hosting Rights For ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028
- Pakistan will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, marking a major achievement for the country’s cricket scene.
- India’s matches during the tournament will be played at a neutral venue under the existing ICC arrangement.
- The ICC also approved several major changes to international cricket, including pink-ball Test trials and an expanded T20 World Cup qualification pathway.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, giving the country another major global cricket event and highlighting its growing role in international cricket.
The decision was approved during an ICC Board meeting held in Ahmedabad, where a series of recommendations from the Chief Executives’ Committee were also endorsed as part of a broader package of reforms and scheduling updates.
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Under the current agreement governing ICC events involving Pakistan and India, matches involving the Indian team during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 will be played at a neutral venue rather than in Pakistan.
The hosting rights represent a significant milestone for Pakistan cricket, as the country continues to regain its position as a venue for major international tournaments following the successful organization of several ICC and bilateral events in recent years.
Alongside the tournament announcement, the ICC approved a trial allowing the use of the pink ball in Test cricket when both participating teams agree. The move is intended to help maximize playing time in matches affected by poor light conditions.
The governing body also approved a longer innings break in T20 internationals, increasing the interval from its current duration to 15 minutes.
In another major decision, the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 was rescheduled. The tournament, which had previously been planned for June and July, will now take place from February 14 to February 28, 2027.
The ICC further confirmed that the Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 will feature 10 teams, including five Full Member nations and five Associate Member teams, providing greater opportunities for emerging cricket countries.
To expand access to global tournaments, the ICC approved a new 16-team global qualifying competition for the Men’s T20 World Cup. The initiative is designed to create a broader pathway for teams seeking qualification for the sport’s premier short-format event.
On governance matters, the ICC announced the suspension of the Canada Cricket Board’s membership due to what it described as serious breaches. Despite the suspension, Canada’s national cricket team will remain eligible to participate in ICC tournaments and events.
The ICC also confirmed that a two-member delegation will visit Bangladesh to assess several issues, including matters related to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s electoral process. The council noted that a similar visit has already been conducted in Sri Lanka, where discussions were held with key stakeholders regarding cricket administration in the country.
Meanwhile, the ICC expressed concern over the rapid expansion of franchise-based cricket leagues around the world. In response, it approved the formation of a dedicated committee that will examine ways to maintain a balance between the international cricket calendar and franchise competitions while preserving the existing structure of the global game.
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