ICC to Decide Franchise Cricket Rules in Bali
The International Cricket Council has opened its final board and committee meetings of 2026 in Bali, with new franchise cricket rules at the top of the agenda.
The meetings began on November 11 and will run until November 15. Eight ICC committees will hold discussions before the ICC Board and the International Cricket Council Business Corporation Board meet to review the proposals.
The decisions taken in Bali will shape how franchise cricket is run, how Test cricket is scheduled and how the world body governs itself for years to come.
Franchise cricket rules under review
The fastest-growing part of the game is also the least controlled. Franchise leagues have spread across the world, and the ICC is now trying to bring order to them.
The Franchise League Review Group, headed by former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, will present its first recommendations on improving the ICC’s rules for approving and regulating these competitions. The committee was formed in July 2026 to deal with the problems created by the rapid growth of franchise leagues.
Its work matters for Pakistan. The Pakistan Super League is one of the established franchise leagues, and the rules agreed in Bali will set the framework it operates in. Leagues that fall outside the rules risk losing ICC approval, which affects player availability and the status of their matches.
Test cricket and tournament windows
The World Test Championship is also on the table. Proposed matchups for the 2027-29 and 2029-31 cycles are set for discussion, which will fix the shape of Test cricket for the next six years.
The ICC will also consider approving windows for major men’s international tournaments between 2028 and 2035. Those windows decide when countries can hold their marquee events without clashing with each other.
The Development Committee will discuss qualification systems for future international events, with a focus on making competitions more competitive and giving emerging cricket nations a better chance.
Governance, women cricketers and technology
The Governance Review Committee, chaired by Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia, will present its first recommendations after a review of the ICC’s governance system. The committee is looking at how decisions are made at the top of the game.
The board will also review proposals to support Afghan refugee women cricketers through the Development Pathway Programme. The ICC’s Decision Review System Accreditation Programme, which sets standards for the technology used in umpiring decisions, is also under discussion.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the meetings give cricket boards and officials a chance to work together and shape the future of the sport. He also pointed to Indonesia’s growing cricket infrastructure, saying that hosting the meetings in Bali would help the game grow in emerging markets.
Indonesia is building the Bali International Oval, which is expected to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in 2027.
What it means for Pakistan
Pakistan has plenty at stake in Bali. The PSL needs a clear and stable set of rules for franchise leagues, and Pakistan’s Test schedule for the next two championship cycles will be set in these meetings.
Pakistan’s cricket calendar is already crowded. The Test series against Sri Lanka is under way in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s women have started their Emerging Nations Trophy campaign with a win over Bangladesh, and Pakistan will face India in the U19 Asia Cup final.
Scotland’s decision to end bilateral cricket with Afghanistan is a reminder that the politics of the game can move quickly. Shaun Tait’s appointment as Lahore Qalandars head coach shows that the PSL keeps drawing international names. The rules agreed in Bali will frame all of it.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the ICC meetings being held?
The ICC’s final board and committee meetings of 2026 are being held in Bali, Indonesia, from November 11 to 15.
What is the Franchise League Review Group?
It is an ICC committee headed by former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, formed in July 2026 to recommend better rules for approving and regulating franchise cricket leagues.
What will be decided on Test cricket?
The meetings will discuss World Test Championship matchups for the 2027-29 and 2029-31 cycles, and windows for major men’s tournaments from 2028 to 2035.
Who chairs the ICC?
Jay Shah is the chairman of the International Cricket Council.
