In ventilation, the 50-over format has got a shot in the arm with ICC Cricket World Cup all set for a new viewership record. But viewership aside, a 50-over format or ODIs are not popular anymore. Many non-India matches have failed to draw crowd even in a cricket-crazy nation like India. And that has worried ICC’s official broadcaster Star Sports. The broadcaster is pushing the International Cricket Council (ICC) to change the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (ICT 2025) format to T20 instead of 50-overs.
The eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will resurrect after an 8-year gap. While the world body continues to push for an ICC event every year, as per The Guardian report, Star Sports has already made plans for a 20-over ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Disney Star is paying $3 billion for 2023-27.
However, a Disney Star official has informed The Guardian that the broadcaster has not put forth a “formal request” to the ICC.
Will ICC Champions Trophy 2025 change format?
With T20 World Cups continuing to be a once in two years affair, an 8-team ICT will only be an overdose of T20 cricket. There is a T20 WC in 2024, 2026 and 2028. But it is also true that the 50-over format is not as popular as it used to be. Half-empty stadiums in Cricket World Cup 2023 have offered enough evidence.
The next ODI World Cup is in 2027 and just to keep the format going, ICC may be interested in dragging the format further. ICC will meeting in Ahmedabad next week and it could be part of the discussion.
However, if the ICC does go through and approve Disney Star’s request, it is likely to put an end to the format that is not even popular among players.
ICT 2025 Qualified Teams
- Pakistan (Host): As the host, Pakistan are not in the race to qualify for ICT 2025.
- India: Having secured a top-place finish in the Cricket World Cup league stage, India are assured of ICT berth.
- South Africa: The Proteas have sealed a Top-2 finish and therefore have sealed an ICT berth.
- Australia: The five-time world champions have confirmed a Top 3 finish. Hence, they are through to ICT 2025.
- New Zealand: With a win against Sri Lanka, New Zealand have confirmed a berth in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- Afghanistan: Even though Afghanistan are virtually knocked out of the Cricket World Cup semifinal race, they have made history. For the first time since the birth of the tournament, Afghanistan have qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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