The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rescheduled the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 to February 14-28, 2027, from its original June-July slot. This change is part of efforts to enhance women’s cricket globally and create a new window in the international calendar. Additionally, the ICC has introduced the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy and outlined the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028.
The Women’s Champions Trophy’s move to February is aimed at improving scheduling and ensuring optimal playing conditions for the tournament. This adjustment is expected to benefit the overall organization and competitiveness of the event.
Furthermore, the ICC has announced plans to launch the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, involving ten teams to provide more exposure to developing nations. This tournament will feature a mix of Full Member and Associate Member countries, selected based on rankings and previous T20 World Cup performances. The initiative seeks to broaden the scope of women’s cricket and bolster support for emerging cricketing nations.
ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah, emphasized the ICC’s dedication to enhancing governance, administration, and the global growth of cricket. Discussions in Ahmedabad have focused on various aspects, including women’s cricket, emerging nations, and franchise competitions, with the goal of maintaining fairness, competitiveness, and excitement for cricket fans worldwide.
The ICC Board has also approved the qualification process for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which will be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with India’s matches set to be played at a neutral venue. The upcoming edition will feature 12 teams, with ten securing automatic qualification based on performance and rankings. The remaining two spots will be decided through a Global Qualifier involving ten teams, complemented by regional qualifying events. Finalization of regional qualification details is anticipated during the ICC’s July meetings.
