Pakistan has secured the hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, marking another significant milestone in the country’s efforts to establish itself as a major destination for international cricket events.
The decision was approved during an International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Ahmedabad, with the tournament set to become the first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted by Pakistan. The event represents a major boost for women’s cricket in the country and further strengthens Pakistan’s position within the global cricket landscape.
Under the existing hybrid arrangement governing ICC tournaments involving Pakistan and India, all matches featuring India will be played at a neutral venue rather than in Pakistan.
The tournament award was one of several major decisions approved by the ICC Board as part of a broader package of reforms covering playing conditions, tournament structures, governance matters and the growing influence of franchise cricket on the international game.
ICC introduces key playing condition changes
Alongside confirming Pakistan as host, the ICC approved several adjustments to international playing conditions.
One of the most notable changes is a trial allowing the use of the pink ball in Test cricket when both participating teams agree. The move is designed to help reduce playing time lost because of poor light and could provide greater flexibility for Test matches in challenging conditions.
The ICC also approved an extension of the innings interval in T20 Internationals, increasing the break between innings to 15 minutes.
The changes reflect the governing body’s ongoing efforts to improve playing conditions and operational efficiency across formats.
Women’s Champions Trophy moved to February window
The ICC also confirmed a revised schedule for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027.
Originally planned for June and July, the tournament will now take place from February 14 to February 28, 2027. The revised window is expected to provide greater scheduling flexibility within an increasingly crowded international calendar.
Meanwhile, the Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 has been expanded into a 10-team competition, featuring five Full Members and five Associate Members, creating additional opportunities for developing cricket nations to compete at a higher level.
Expanded pathway to Men’s T20 World Cup
In another significant development, the ICC approved a new 16-team global qualifying tournament for the Men’s T20 World Cup.
The expanded qualification pathway is designed to provide more nations with a realistic route to cricket’s premier global T20 event and aligns with the ICC’s broader objective of growing the game across emerging markets.
The decision is expected to create additional competitive opportunities for Associate Members while strengthening the depth of international cricket worldwide.
Governance action and franchise cricket concerns
The ICC Board also addressed several governance issues during the meeting.
Cricket Canada’s membership was suspended following what the ICC described as serious breaches. However, Canada’s national teams will remain eligible to participate in ICC competitions despite the suspension.
The governing body further announced that a two-member ICC delegation will visit Bangladesh to review a range of matters, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s electoral process. A similar review visit to Sri Lanka has already been completed.
Perhaps most notably, the ICC acknowledged growing concerns around the rapid expansion of franchise cricket around the world. In response, the Board approved the formation of a dedicated committee tasked with examining how international cricket can coexist with an increasingly crowded franchise landscape while preserving the existing structure of the sport.
Major boost for Pakistan cricket
For Pakistan, the headline outcome from the ICC Board meeting is the opportunity to host another flagship global event.
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 will bring some of the world’s best players and teams to Pakistan and further reinforce confidence in the country’s ability to stage major international tournaments. While India’s matches will continue to be played at neutral venues under the existing arrangement, the event represents a significant achievement for Pakistan Cricket Board officials and a major step forward for women’s cricket in the region.
As the ICC continues to reshape tournament structures, governance frameworks and the international calendar, Pakistan’s successful bid stands out as one of the most significant developments to emerge from the latest round of Board decisions.
