The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a major overhaul of the T20 World Cup by replacing the current Super Eight stage with a new Super 10 format. According to reports from HT, the proposal is expected to receive approval during the governing body's upcoming meetings before the next tournament cycle.
The proposal was discussed during the ICC's recent annual board meeting. The changes aim to improve the tournament's commercial value, reduce one-sided matches in the early rounds, and create more marquee contests between top teams, including more India vs Pakistan clashes, from the 2028 T20 World Cup.
ICC Plans Super 10 Format to Make T20 World Cup More Competitive
The ICC is considering replacing the current Super Eight stage with a Super 10 phase from the 2028 T20 World Cup. The proposal aims to reduce the number of early group-stage matches and create more high-profile contests before the knockout rounds.
Under the current format, 20 teams are divided into four groups of five. The proposed structure would split teams into five groups of four, reducing the first phase to 30 matches before introducing a 20-match Super 10 stage.
ICC officials believe the new format will improve the tournament without reducing opportunities for Associate nations. Recent upsets, including the USA beating Pakistan in 2024, Nepal challenging England in 2026, and Zimbabwe eliminating Australia this year, have shown the strength of emerging teams.
ICC Reviews Changes to ODI World Cup Structure
The ICC is also discussing possible changes to the 2027 ODI World Cup as it looks to improve the tournament's structure and commercial appeal. The proposals were discussed during the recent annual conference in Edinburgh, with broadcasters and scheduling also forming part of the conversations.
One proposal suggests reducing the tournament from 14 teams to 12 while introducing a Super Seven stage after the group phase. The revised format could also reduce the number of teams qualifying through the global qualifying tournament from four to two.
However, reports indicate that the ODI World Cup proposal is still under discussion and is less certain than the T20 World Cup changes. The ICC is expected to take a final decision after further meetings with its members and broadcasting partners.
World Test Championship and Club T20 Also Under Discussion
The ICC is also exploring changes to the World Test Championship to keep more teams in contention throughout the cycle. One proposal discussed in Edinburgh would introduce semi-finals, giving teams in the middle of the table a realistic chance of reaching the final.
An ICC working group, led by Roger Twose, is also studying plans to expand the WTC in the future by including Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. However, those changes are unlikely to be introduced in the next Future Tours Programme cycle.
The governing body is also moving closer to launching a World Club T20 competition featuring champion franchise teams from around the world. If approved, the tournament could begin within the next few years once space becomes available in the international calendar.
