DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Friday announced that it has renamed the ICC World T20 as the ICC T20 World Cup. This means the next edition of the events, both in Australia in in 2020 will be known as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.
The renaming decision is aligned to the ICC’s Global Cricket Strategy which will be launched in early 2019, in which the shortest format will not only be used as the vehicle to globalise the game, but to also enhance its profile and status and ensure its status is at par with the pinnacle events of the other two formats.
The ICC had already approved that all T20s between its Members will be granted T20I status. It then introduced a regional qualification process that provides a pathway to all its 104 Members with an opportunity to play and win the World Cup.
The renaming of the event is also aimed at cementing the importance this event holds in the international cricket calendar and ensuring parity across all three formats of the game.
The decision to rename the event was backed by several international captain.
India women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, whose side is ranked in top-five of the shortest format, said: “This is an exciting tournament that teams get to play. It has brought together the best from around the world over the years and so I think the change in name is a natural progression.
Indian men’s captain Virat Kohli said: “I’m really excited for the opportunity to be part of the T20 World Cup in Australia. The pinnacle event for T20 cricket is rightly now the World Cup. India won the first edition of the World T20 in 2007 and it would be a great moment to hold the T20 World Cup trophy aloft in Australia.”
