The 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, slated to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, is moving forward with plans for 20 participating teams and 55 matches. While the tournament itself remains years away, recent political tensions and logistical challenges have underscored the complexities of hosting major international sporting events, particularly those involving India and Pakistan.
Australia is preparing to host the event, having previously hosted the T20 World Cup in 2022. This will mark New Zealand’s debut as a host nation for the tournament. Cricket Australia has yet to comment on specific preparations, but a new chief executive for the tournament is expected to be named shortly.
The recent T20 World Cup, currently underway, was nearly derailed by political disputes. Pakistan initially refused to play its group stage match against India, citing concerns stemming from broader tensions between the two nations. This boycott threatened a significant financial blow to the ICC, potentially creating a $250 million revenue shortfall derived from broadcast rights and commercial returns tied to the highly anticipated India-Pakistan fixture. Pakistan reversed its decision, influenced by warnings from other cricket nations about the wider repercussions of forfeiting the match.
The situation highlighted the delicate balance the ICC must maintain when scheduling events in politically sensitive regions. The ICC emphasized its expectation that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would prioritize the successful delivery of the tournament and consider the long-term implications for cricket within Pakistan. The organization acknowledged the role of governments in national policy but stressed that the boycott was not in the best interest of the global game or its fans.
Beyond the India-Pakistan dynamic, tensions between India and Bangladesh have also raised concerns. The recent incident involving Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman, whose Indian Premier League contract was terminated following threats from a former Indian politician, led to a request from Bangladesh to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied this request, resulting in Bangladesh being replaced in the tournament by Scotland.
These events have prompted a reassessment of future tournament locations. While Australia and New Zealand are confirmed hosts for 2028, the ICC is reportedly considering whether to move the 2029 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2031 ODI World Cup, both currently scheduled to be held in India, due to ongoing regional instability. The Australian time zone is considered advantageous for broadcasting to the South Asian market, particularly for night matches, a factor that contributed to the success of the 2015 and 2022 World Cups held in Australia.
The 2028 tournament will follow a format similar to previous editions, with 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, followed by knockout rounds. The qualification process will include the two host nations, the top six to eight teams from the previous edition, the next highest-ranked teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, and eight teams determined through regional qualifiers.
The atmosphere surrounding recent matches, such as the India-Pakistan encounter in Colombo, underscores the passion and intensity that these contests generate. An estimated crowd of 35,000 witnessed India’s victory, but the match was notably devoid of pre- and post-game camaraderie, with players from both sides refraining from handshakes. This lack of sportsmanship reflects the broader political climate and the strain on relations between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Australia’s experience in successfully hosting major cricket events, including matches between India and Pakistan in 2015 and 2022 – drawing crowds of 41,587 in Adelaide and a remarkable 90,293 at the MCG respectively – positions it well to deliver a successful tournament in 2028. However, the ICC will undoubtedly be closely monitoring the geopolitical landscape in the years leading up to the event, prepared to make adjustments if necessary to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the tournament.
The financial stakes are considerable. The potential loss of a marquee match like India versus Pakistan demonstrates the economic importance of these fixtures to the global cricket ecosystem. The ICC’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial not only for the success of the 2028 World Cup but also for the long-term health and stability of the sport.
