DUBAI: The ICC will grant all matches in multi-team one-day tournaments ODI status when they include teams with and without international status, beginning with the Asia Cup in the UAE this month, amid a wider review of the application of status in one-day cricket. The decision will also extend to World Cup Qualifiers in the future.
Hong Kong, who don’t hold ODI status, booked their place in the Asia Cup by beating UAE in the qualifying final and it raised the potential of some matches in the event being ODIs and others not. Hong Kong is the only team among the six participating teams without an ODI status.
There was significant criticism when not all matches at the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe earlier this year were handed ODI status. That led to a confusing mix of classifications for fixtures during the event and included the scenario where the Netherlands, who joined the 16-team ODI rankings after the tournament, was not playing ODIs in the qualifiers.
Dave Richardson, the ICC chief executive, also confirmed a review of ODI status is being undertaken with an outcome expected in the next few months. Earlier this year, all T20 matches between member countries across the men’s and women’s game were awarded T20I status.
“This decision was informed by our review of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year where there was a mix of games with and without international status which proved to be confusing for fans,” Richardson said.
“In order to simplify the situation, we will extend the ICC Cricket World Cup principle of all matches being ODIs to other tournaments where a number of the teams have ODI status and some not, this includes the Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.
“The fact that these events are open to teams beyond the existing 16 teams that currently have ODI status is important and, accordingly, ensuring all matches are granted ODI status is befitting of the events and just reward for the teams that have qualified.
“Of course, all T20 matches between ICC Members now have T20I status and we are in the midst of reviewing the whole issue of ODI status, which review should be completed in the next few months.”