IPL Window Extended; Two-and-a-half-month Window In The latest ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) – Reports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has got an extended two-and-a-half-month window in the latest ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), as per a report in the ESPNcricinfo.

The ESPNcricinfo accessed a near-final draft of the latest ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), which lays out the international cricket due to be played by the 12 Full Members in the 2023-27 cycle. The latest ICC FTP consists of two ICC World Test Championship cycles, a host of ICC events and several bilateral series.

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Meanwhile, in the latest FTP draft, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has got an extended two-and-a-half-month window as very few International games will be played during that period. Earlier, IPL had a near-official window from the last week of March to the first week of June but there has been a 2-week expansion to the window in the latest FTP draft.

“We are in discussions with the ICC (International Cricket Council) and several other cricket boards to have an exclusive window for the IPL,” Shah had earlier said.

“Let me assure you that there will be a two-and-a-half-month window in the next ICC FTP (Future Tours Programme) calendar so that all top international players can participate. Since this tournament benefits all … we have received a positive response from the ICC and other member boards,” Shah added.

Meanwhile, the Indian Premier League became a 10-team tournament with the addition of two new teams and now 74 games are being played in the marquee tournament. The number of matches per season is expected to be increased. 74 games will be played in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In the 2025 and 2026 seasons, 84 games are expected to be played and in the 2027 season, a maximum of 94 matches are expected to be played.

The Hundred, BBL Build In Dedicated Windows Just Like IPL

As per the same report, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia, have built-in smaller windows during their home seasons for their white-ball competitions, the Hundred and the BBL.

In the latest FTP draft, a three-week window across July and August is clear of any international cricket to allow England players to take part in the Hundred. Notably, several major names like Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jos Buttler missed out on the first edition of the white-ball tournament due to international fixtures.

Similarly, Cricket Australia has kept January clear of white-ball international games to allow their players to take part in the BBL. Also, CPL and BPL have made space for their leagues.

CSA is set to launch its franchise T20 league in 2023 and South Africa have even pulled out of the Australia white-ball series so that the players can participate in the white-ball competition. In the new FTP, CSA has a window clear of international cricket in January 2025 and January 2026. There is a possibility that South Africa’s T20 league could clash with the UAE’s T20 league, which is expected to take place in January-February.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has also left windows open for the PSL, which is set to be played in February-March (2023), January-February (2024) and December-January (2026-27).

The ESPNcricinfo report further state that the “number of tours in this draft of the FTP are red-circled” which indicates that things have not been fully finalized as of now. Also, after the AGM of the ICC on July 25 and 26 in Birmingham, the final draft is expected to be published.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: ‘Sitting Here On The Television, Everything Looks Easy; Show Me Any Of His Century Where He Plays That Shot’: Ajay Jadeja’s Verdict On Virat Kohli

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