Jay Shah, the ICC chief [Source: AFP]The International Cricket Council is set for a crucial round of discussions as it begins work on the international calendar for the 2027-31 cycle. With the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) ending in March 2027, the ICC's cricket operations workshop in Dubai will look at several issues that could shape the way international cricket is played over the next four years. From the balance between ODIs and T20Is to the structure of the World Test Championship (WTC), several key matters are expected to come under discussion.ICC to decide on bilateral ODIs futureAs per a Cricinfo report, the future of bilateral ODI cricket is expected to be one of the major talking points when ICC members meet in Dubai. The governing body is trying to fit an increasingly crowded international calendar into a limited number of playing windows.That might result in the rise in T20Is between Full Members at the expense of bilateral 50-over matches. T20 cricket continues to be viewed as an important vehicle for expanding the game, particularly because the men's T20 World Cup is held every two years. However, the changing schedule does not mean that ODIs are being pushed towards the exit. The 50-over format still has the ODI World Cup as its flagship tournament, and the ICC and its members are exploring ways to give bilateral ODIs greater significance.Also Read- Japan Expose India’s Growing Struggles on Non-Flat Pitches Yet AgainOne idea being discussed is to move away from a calendar filled predominantly with standalone bilateral series and bring back formats that were more common in the 1990s. Tri-series and quadrangular tournaments could provide a way to make ODI cricket more competitive without simply restoring the old ODI Super League.The India, Australia and England challenge set to be addressedThe schedules involving India, Australia and England are understood to be among the commitments that are already largely settled. The Ashes is set to retain its established pattern during the next cycle, with England hosting Australia in 2027, Australia hosting the series in 2029-30 and England hosting again in 2031.England are also scheduled to tour India for a Test series in early 2028, before India travel to England in 2029. For the other Full Members, however, building a workable calendar around commitments involving the three biggest cricketing markets remains a major challenge. Pakistan face a different scheduling situation because bilateral cricket with India is currently not an option. The PCB has therefore sought more commitments involving England and Australia. Pakistan already have a five-match ODI series against England planned for next summer, while a three-Test tour of Australia is scheduled for 2027-28.LA 2028 Olympic brings another scheduling challengeAnother major complication will arrive in 2028. Cricket will return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1900 when the Los Angeles Olympics take place in July. The men's competition is expected to be a week-long T20 tournament.That timing could create a direct scheduling headache for England, with the Olympic cricket event expected to overlap with their home Test series against West Indies. Finding space for the Olympics alongside bilateral cricket and existing ICC commitments will therefore be another important part of the calendar discussions.Is WTC expansion in the works?The World Test Championship remains another unresolved piece of the 2027-29 international calendar. The competition has already undergone several discussions about its future, including a proposal for a two-tier structure that was subsequently dismissed.A working committee presentation in April recommended expanding the WTC beyond its current nine-team field by bringing Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland into the competition. For now, there is no confirmation that the competition will expand for the next cycle beginning in 2027.The Dubai meetings could provide greater clarity on whether the WTC will remain a nine-team competition or move towards a broader format.Technology will also feature in the cricket operations discussions. A session on the second day is expected to focus on the ICC's DRS accreditation programme. The governing body currently has two approved suppliers for DRS technology across international cricket, Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye, and is looking at expanding the pool of accredited review-technology providers.Nevertheless, the final shape of the calendar is expected to emerge later, with the November ICC meeting in Bali providing the next major deadline.Also Read- Australia's ODI Record At Kingsmead Durban Ahead Of 1st Match vs South Africa, 2026
