No More 50-overs ICC Champions Trophy Disney Star Pushes for 20-over ICT 2025: With a new viewing record for the ICC Cricket World Cup, the 50-over format gets a boost in popularity. However, viewing aside, ODIs and 50-over formats are becoming less common.

Even in a country as cricket mad as India, a lot of non-Indian matches have failed to attract large audiences. Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the ICC, is concerned about that.

The broadcaster is pressuring the International Cricket Council (ICC) to switch from 50-overs to T20 for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (ICT 2025) format.

The eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will resurrect after an 8-year gap. While the world body continues to push for an ICC event every year, as per The Guardian report, Star Sports has already made plans for a 20-over ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Disney Star is paying $3 billion for 2023-27.

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Following an eight-year break, the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will return.

Even though the global organization is still pushing for an annual ICC tournament, Star Sports has already scheduled a 20-over ICC Champions Trophy for 2025, according to a story in The Guardian. Disney Star is paying $3 billion for 2023-27.

However, a Disney Star official has informed The Guardian that the broadcaster has not put forth a “formal request” to the ICC.

Eight teams participating in an ICT will just be too much T20 cricket when World Cups are still being held every two years. Twenty24, 2026, and 2028 will see a T20 World Cup.

However, it’s also true that the 50-over format is losing its appeal. Cricket World Cup 2023 venues that are just partially full have provided sufficient proof.

The next ODI World Cup is in 2027 and just to keep the format going, ICC may be interested in dragging the format further. ICC will meeting in Ahmedabad next week and it could be part of the discussion.

Nonetheless, the format—which isn’t particularly well-liked by players—is probably going to disappear if the ICC grants Disney Star’s request.

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Pakistan (Host): As the host, Pakistan are not in the race to qualify for ICT 2025.

India: Having secured a top-place finish in the Cricket World Cup league stage, India are assured of ICT berth.

South Africa: The Proteas have sealed a Top-2 finish and therefore have sealed an ICT berth.

Australia: The five-time world champions have confirmed a Top 3 finish. Hence, they are through to ICT 2025.

New Zealand: With a win against Sri Lanka, New Zealand have confirmed a berth in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Afghanistan: Even though Afghanistan are virtually knocked out of the Cricket World Cup semifinal race, they have made history. For the first time since the birth of the tournament, Afghanistan have qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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