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ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a landmark trial that could see the traditional red ball replaced with a pink ball during Test matches when poor light threatens to halt play, according to the digital sports media website ESPN. The website said that the decision was taken during the ICC Board meeting over the weekend and is aimed at reducing interruptions caused by fading light conditions. The red balls usually used in Tests are not easily visible in fading light, while the white balls used in limited-overs matches are not durable enough for the longer format, said an ESPN report. Pink balls are already used in day-night Tests played under lights. According to AFP, the ICC said in a statement that its executive board had approved of &quot;trialing the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximize play in case of anticipated bad light&quot;. The global cricketing body said it had also approved new &quot;research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light&quot;. &quot;Our discussions... have reinforced the ICC&#39;s commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally,&quot; said council chief Jay Shah, following a meeting in India&#39;s Ahmedabad.

Cricket

Allows the replacement of red balls with pink balls in test matches during poor light, aiming to reduce stoppages and maximize playing time without compromising visibility.

ICC approves pink ball trial in test cricket to reduce bad-light interruptions

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council awarded Pakistan the hosting rights for the ICC Women&#39;s T20 World Cup 2028 qualification pathway on Monday, with matches involving India to be played at neutral venues. The ICC Board met on Sunday and approved a range of measures covering women&#39;s cricket scheduling, tournament formats, playing conditions and governance. Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, its first global ICC event in 29 years. The country previously held the ACC Asia Cup in full in 2008 and co-hosted the 2023 edition with Sri Lanka. The 2028 Women&#39;s T20 World Cup will have 12 teams. Ten spots are automatic: the top eight from the 2026 edition, the host nation if not already among them, and the next highest-ranked side on the ICC Women&#39;s T20I rankings as of July 6, 2026. The remaining two places will go through a 10-team Global Qualifier supported by regional rounds, with allocations to be confirmed at the ICC&#39;s July meetings. The board rescheduled the ICC Women&#39;s Champions Trophy 2027 to February 14&ndash;28, moving it from the June-July window. It also approved the ICC Women&#39;s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 as a 10-team competition (five Full Members and five Associate Members) with qualification based on rankings and prior world cup results. On the men&#39;s side, the ICC Board approved in principle a Global Qualifier pathway for future Men&#39;s T20 World Cups and directed management to finalize a 16-team structure. Teams in the Challenge League retained eligibility for other List A matches within each cycle. The board approved a pink ball trial for Test matches, subject to consent from both teams, to allow play to continue in poor light. It also updated playing conditions to allow coaches or their designees to consult players at drinks intervals, mandated 15-minute intervals in T20 internationals, and required batters to be ready at the resumption of play. The legside wides trial was made permanent. All remaining MCC Laws changes take effect on October 1, 2026. The Board suspended Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect for breaching its membership obligations. Canadian national teams will remain eligible for ICC events during the suspension period.

A screenshot shows team captains posing during Captains’ Day for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. (ICC)

Two spots in the 12-team field are determined through a 10-team Global Qualifier, with additional qualification places allocated through regional pathways.

Articles tagged with "International Cricket Council (ICC)"

ICC approves pink ball trial in test cricket to reduce bad-light interruptions

Pakistan to host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028