The International Cricket Council (ICC) will hold a cricket operations workshop in Dubai this week to discuss the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle from 2027 to 2031. One of the key proposals is to increase the number of T20Is between Full Member nations while reducing bilateral ODIs.
The current FTP cycle ends in March 2027, with the ICC seeking to balance international cricket with increasingly crowded domestic franchise schedules and global tournaments. Member boards are expected to finalise and ratify the 2027-31 FTP at the ICC quarterly meeting in Bali in November.
More T20Is, Fewer Bilateral ODIs planned by ICC in 2027-31 FTP
The next FTP is expected to feature more T20Is between Full Member nations, with bilateral ODIs likely to make way as boards struggle to fit international cricket around busy domestic T20 leagues.
The ODI format, however, is not expected to lose its importance. The World Cup will remain its biggest event, while members are discussing multi-team tournaments such as tri-series and quadrangular series to give bilateral ODIs greater context without bringing back the ODI Super League.
Namibia Cricket chair and new ICC Board director Rudi van Vuuren has also highlighted the opportunities the T20 format could create for Associate nations. The format could also help Full Members strengthen broadcast revenues and maintain fan engagement.
Big Three Commitments and 2028 Olympics Create Scheduling Challenge
India, Australia, and England have already settled most of their major commitments for the 2027-31 cycle. The Ashes is scheduled for 2027 in England, 2029-30 in Australia, and 2031 in England. England are also set to tour India for a Test series in early 2028 before hosting India in 2029.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will add another challenge to the calendar. Cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, with the men’s T20 competition expected to take place in July. The event could overlap with England’s home Test series against the West Indies.
Other Full Members will also need to build their schedules around series against India, Australia, and England. South Africa are expected to host India after the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have pushed for more international cricket against England and Australia. They are scheduled to play a five-match ODI series against England next summer and will tour Australia for three Tests in the 2027-28 season.
WTC Expansion and New DRS Suppliers Under Discussion
The World Test Championship will also feature in the Dubai discussions. The ICC had previously considered a two-tier system before dropping the proposal, while an ICC working committee recommended in April that Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland could join the existing nine teams.
The proposal also includes one-Test series in the WTC, which could make it easier to accommodate additional teams. Zimbabwe are keen on joining the WTC, although the positions of Afghanistan and Ireland remain unclear. The ICC is yet to decide whether the WTC will expand for the 2027-29 cycle.
The workshop will also review the ICC’s DRS accreditation program. The governing body is looking to expand its pool of approved technology suppliers beyond Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye, which currently provide DRS technology for international cricket.
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