The International Cricket Council (ICC) is deliberating on reducing the number of teams participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup from 14 to 12. This comes amid speculations over the future of the 50-over format of the game, although the global body has rejected the proposal to reduce the one-day internationals to 40 overs amid losing interest among fans in the format. As per reports, the Associate nations are unhappy with such a move being considered and have voiced their opposition against it.
Lesser teams to play ODI World Cup in 2027?
As per journalist Tristan Lavalette, the ICC is mulling to reduce the number of participating teams in the 2027 ODI World Cup from 14 to 12. This comes after the global body had assured in 2021 that the tournament would be expanded to 14 teams in the future. South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are the hosts of the tournament, will automatically qualify for the event. Meanwhile, it is the associate nations who will be left in a lurch. And they haven’t minced any words in expressing disappointment over the move, if at all it should be ratified.
“It would be disgusting if that happens. Another step back for cricket after it seemed like progress was being made,” a senior administrator in Associate cricket told Cricket Financial Journal.
It is pertinent to point out that the 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. While SA and ZIM are all but certain to play in the tournament, Namibia will face a tough task to qualify for the tournament if the number of participating teams is reduced. The discussions around the reduction of teams for the marquee event have taken place during the ICC’s meetings in Edinburgh, although details surrounding the exact reasoning and scope of these discussions remain closely guarded.
As per the current scenario, the top eight ranked teams in ODIs will qualify for the 2027 World Cup apart from hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. This leaves associate nations like NAM, Nepal, United States of America, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Canada in the lurch.
ICC ODI rankings (as of July 14)
| Pos | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 30 | 3623 | 121 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 32 | 3533 | 110 |
| 3 | Australia | 29 | 2965 | 102 |
| 4 | South Africa | 28 | 2855 | 102 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 32 | 3215 | 100 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 36 | 3470 | 96 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 24 | 2154 | 90 |
| 8 | England | 28 | 2487 | 89 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 39 | 3251 | 83 |
| 10 | West Indies | 31 | 2342 | 76 |
| 11 | Zimbabwe | 15 | 941 | 63 |
| 12 | Ireland | 12 | 653 | 54 |
| 13 | Scotland | 25 | 1071 | 43 |
| 14 | Netherlands | 26 | 1097 | 42 |
| 15 | USA | 26 | 1035 | 40 |
| 16 | Oman | 22 | 716 | 33 |
| 17 | Nepal | 27 | 855 | 32 |
| 18 | Namibia | 16 | 373 | 23 |
| 19 | United Arab Emirates | 23 | 357 | 16 |
| 20 | Canada | 19 | 242 | 13 |
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