The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently held a meeting where the board approved a series of women's Associate Member T20 competitions boosting the sportsmanship and competitiveness of smaller cricket-playing nations offering ample opportunities to play international cricket in the span of 2028-2031. It aims to encourage global participation of female athletes and raise the standard of women's cricket worldwide.
ICC released a statement mentioning, "The strategy includes the creation of two annual T20 International tournaments between 2025 and 2028, which would offer structured cricket with context to 24 teams in the pathway ahead of the 16-team ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2030, with further details to be announced in due course."
The ICC further approved the 2025-2029 Women's Futures Tour Programme (FTP) and calendar that lists the international cricket fixtures for women's teams over the next five years and mentions ICC events and bilateral series as well. Additionally confirming a process to grant ODI status for the 5 of 16 Associate Members qualifying for the 2025-2029 cycle. Out of 5, two Associate Members will qualify for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 and the remaining will be selected by the ICC T20I team rankings.
ICC stated, "It was also approved by the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) that the Women's rankings annual update will now move to May 1 from October 1 of each year and teams will now have to play at least 8 matches."
