ICC Chairman Jay Shah (Source: AFP Photos)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday had a board meeting regarding many important issues. Among them, there was a historic decision took place regarding the all-important Champions Trophy, which will take place next year.
In November 2024, the ICC confirmed the Women’s Future Tour Programme (FTP) for 2025-29, where they mentioned that they will have their first-ever Women’s Champions Trophy 2027, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka.
Back then, it was decided that the Champions Trophy 2027 for women will take place in June-July window. Now, it has been decided that it will prepone, possibly happening between February 14 and 28 next year.
Jay Shah's ICC Removes India Matches From Pakistan For T20 World Cup 2028
Besides the changes in Champions Trophy 2027, the ICC, headed by Jay Shah, made changes regarding Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 and the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028.
While there was a change in the format Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, the venues have been tweaked in T20 World Cup 2028, given that Pakistan will host the mega tournament.
Keeping in mind that the current geopolitical relationship between India and Pakistan, the Women in Blue will play at the neutral venue whenever they take part in the tournament.
"The ICC will pilot the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 as a 10-team event featuring five Full Members and five Associate Members, selected based on rankings and prior T20 World Cup qualification," a statement read, while also confirming India playing at neutral venue during T20 World Cup 2028 for women.
Also Read: 4 Indians In As ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Officials Revealed
T20 World Cup 2026 To Underway Soon
Nevertheless, the focus will now primarily be on Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on June 12 and will go on till July 5. As many as 33 T20I matches will be played, with 12 teams being divided into two groups for the glory.
Hosts England will kick off the proceedings at Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and Champions Trophy 2027 hosts Sri Lanka will face them in the curtain raiser.
Meanwhile, India will begin their journey on June 14, as their arch-rivals Pakistan will be against them at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
New Zealand are the reigning defending champions of the T20 World Cup for women, with South Africa being the runner-ups when the tournament last took place in 2024.
India Women Currently Playing In England
Meanwhile, India women are currently in England. They are currently playing a three-match T20I series, and will also have a Test match after T20 World Cup 2026.
At this point, the high-octane series between two heavyweights is levelled 1-1, with the decider to take place tomorrow in Taunton. While Smriti Mandhana-led side won the T20I series opener, England came back in style in the second T20I to make the series highly interesting.
Also Read: Smriti Mandhana Issues Statement On India Winning T20 World Cup 2026
