While cricket fans prepare for the IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, something equally significant is happening quietly in the background. The boardrooms of Ahmedabad on May 30-31 will host an ICC meeting that could reshape the future of the purest form of the game — Test cricket.
The World Test Championship is about to get the most serious structural conversation it has had since its inception. And the outcome could bring Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe into the fold — or keep the status quo for another cycle.
Table of Contents
ICC WTC Meeting — Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| ICC CEC Virtual Meeting | May 21, 2026 |
| ICC In-Person Board Meeting | May 30–31, Ahmedabad (IPL Final sidelines) |
| Working Group Head | Roger Twose (Former New Zealand cricketer) |
| Current WTC Teams | 9 Full Members |
| Proposed Expansion | 12 teams (add Zimbabwe, Ireland & Afghanistan) |
| New Rule Proposal | One-off Tests to earn WTC points |
| Next WTC Cycle | 2027–29 |
| WTC Final 2027 | England, June 2027 |
| Decision Timeline | Likely at Edinburgh AGM — July 2026 |
| Two-Tier System? | ❌ Rejected after ECB pushback |
| PCB’s Mohsin Naqvi | ❌ Attending virtually — not in person |
Why Expansion Makes Sense — But Isn’t Simple
After pushback from certain boards — notably the England and Wales Cricket Board — the ICC decided against a two-tier system and was instead looking to add Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe to the WTC from the next cycle, 2027-29.
On paper, inclusion is a beautiful idea. More nations playing Test cricket means a healthier ecosystem for the format globally. But there’s a catch that critics are quick to highlight.
Concerns have been raised over competitive balance, particularly regarding the percentage-based points system — with critics arguing it could favour teams playing fewer but strategically easier fixtures.
This would give Afghanistan the luxury to play against weaker oppositions like Ireland, Zimbabwe, the West Indies, and Bangladesh, and effectively game the WTC points system — which favours percentage points rather than just total points. Despite playing fewer games, weaker teams could have better results than sides facing tougher opposition across more matches.
It’s a fairness question that the ICC’s working group is wrestling with — and hasn’t yet resolved convincingly.
The One-Test Series Proposal
The ICC is also considering allowing one-Test series to carry WTC points — a significant shift from current regulations that require a bilateral WTC series to feature a minimum of two Tests. Supporters believe one-Test contests could make scheduling more flexible for smaller nations and help broaden participation.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the working group’s recommendations will go to the CEC before being taken to the full board — meaning May 21’s virtual meeting sets the table, but the real decisions land on May 30-31 in Ahmedabad.
IPL 2026 Final: The Bigger Agenda in Ahmedabad
The WTC isn’t the only thing on the table. During these two meetings, the ICC will also discuss challenges around data monetisation and mobile gaming. Global broadcasting rights — specifically the deal between the ICC and JioStar, which is set to expire in 2027 — is also a major agenda item.
The ICC has also engaged consultancy firm Oliver Wyman to explore data monetisation strategies and opportunities in mobile gaming as part of its broader commercial expansion plans.
And there’s a governance crisis simmering too — an ICC delegation has already travelled to Sri Lanka after the country’s government took control of Sri Lanka Cricket, with ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja meeting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss reforms.
Although discussions are expected to progress during the May meetings, the ICC is not anticipated to approve a final WTC structure immediately — officials hope to move closer to a decision ahead of the organisation’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh in July, following the Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
The Narendra Modi Stadium will crown an IPL champion on May 31 — but in the meeting rooms next door, the future of Test cricket’s most prestigious competition is quietly being rewritten. Both conversations matter enormously for the game we love.
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