The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Cricket Canada from ICC membership with immediate effect after identifying what it described as serious breaches of membership obligations. The decision was taken during ICC Board meetings held in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Despite the suspension, the ICC said it was taking steps to protect the interests of Canadian players and ensure that national teams are not adversely affected by administrative and governance issues within the country’s cricket administration.
According to the ICC, Canadian national representative teams will continue to be eligible to participate in ICC events during the suspension period. Cricket Canada will also retain access to ICC funding, although through a controlled funding mechanism overseen by ICC management and restricted to approved national team programmes.
The ICC Board said Cricket Canada would be provided with a set of reinstatement conditions designed to address governance and administrative shortcomings identified by the Board. Progress on these requirements will be monitored by the ICC Normalisation Committee, with support from ICC management. Membership will be restored only after the Board is satisfied that all conditions have been met.
Alongside the suspension decision, the ICC Board approved a series of recommendations aimed at improving governance, competition structures and playing conditions across international cricket.
Big decisions after the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad.
— ICC (@ICC) June 1, 2026
Details ⬇️https://t.co/JvTRR94Dsz
Among the changes approved was a trial allowing the use of a pink ball in Test matches when both participating teams agree, with the objective of reducing lost playing time caused by poor light conditions. The ICC will also support research and development projects with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to explore lighting technology that could help match officials and venues minimise interruptions due to bad light.
The Board also approved the use of Hawk-Eye data by match officials when assessing whether to report a bowler for a suspected illegal bowling action.
Several updates to playing conditions were endorsed. Head coaches or their designated representatives will be allowed to consult with teams during scheduled drinks intervals. T20 Internationals will now have mandatory 15-minute intervals, and batters will be required to be ready when play resumes following scheduled breaks.
The ICC further confirmed the permanent adoption of the leg-side wides trial and approved the implementation of all remaining MCC Law changes from October 1, 2026.
In another significant decision, the ICC Board approved amendments to the classification of official cricket, confirming that teams participating in the Cricket World Cup Challenge League will remain eligible to play other List A limited-overs matches during each tournament cycle.
Women’s cricket also featured prominently in discussions. The ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 has been rescheduled from its original June-July window and will now be held from February 14 to February 28, 2027.
The Board also approved a pilot Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in 2026. The 10-team tournament will feature five Full Member nations and five Associate Member nations selected on the basis of rankings and previous Women’s T20 World Cup qualification performances.
The ICC additionally endorsed the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which will be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Matches involving India will be played at a neutral venue.
For Associate Members, the Board approved plans to establish a Global Qualifier for future ICC Men’s T20 World Cups. ICC management has been tasked with finalising the competition format and qualification pathway for a proposed 16-team qualifying tournament before presenting it to relevant committees.
The Board also reviewed developments in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Two ICC Board representatives, Dr Mohammed Moosaje of Cricket South Africa and Tavengwa Mukuhlani of Zimbabwe Cricket, are scheduled to visit Bangladesh to engage with stakeholders regarding developments in the country, including the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s electoral process.
In Sri Lanka, ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja and BCCI representative Devajit Saikia have already met with stakeholders to assess ongoing developments.
The Board further expressed concern over the continued expansion of franchise cricket around the world. Members agreed to establish a committee to examine how franchise competitions can be better aligned with the international calendar within the existing cricket structure.
© x.com/JayShahICC Chairman Jay Shah said: “Our discussions in Ahmedabad have reinforced the ICC’s commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally. From women’s cricket and emerging nations to the management of franchise competitions, today’s discussions and decisions aim to ensure that cricket remains fair, competitive, and exciting for fans worldwide.”
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