Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) have raised questions on the ICC’s decision to make major changes to the qualification pathway and format of the 2027 men’s ODI World Cup.
In a joint official statement, Cricket Scotland and KNCB said: “Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) are deeply disappointed by the International Cricket Council’s recent decision to implement significant structural changes to the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup qualification pathway and tournament format with less than 18 months until the competition begins.”
The revamped format includes a Super Series and a Super 7 phase. The bottom three qualifying teams will now have to play a round-robin Super Series and the winner of that series will join the other 11 teams in the main game. The top teams will then compete in the Super 7 stage which will decide the four semi-finalists.
The joint statement added: “Decisions of this significance, particularly those directly affecting Associate Members, should be made clearly following meaningful consultation and with sufficient notice for affected Members to understand and respond to the implications.”
It also said: “The timing of these changes, with less than eighteen months until the tournament, has given affected Members limited opportunity to contribute to the process or adapt. We believe greater engagement with Associate Members would have supported a more effective and collaborative approach and help maintain confidence in the qualification pathway.”
A response in this regard from the governing body is awaited, but the changes have been approved by the ICC Board, which, besides being represented by the Full Members, also has three Associate Member Directors.
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