The Pakistan cricket team is likely to be demoted to Division Two in the newly proposed Test structure, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a radical change to the longest format of the game, according to a report from a British news outlet.
According to the report, the teams are set to be divided into divisions based on the current ICC Test rankings. Division one could most likely involve the World Test Champions (WTC) South Africa, New Zealand, India, England, and Australia.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Ireland are set to be included in Division Two.
The ICC formed an eight-member team to finalize the proposed changes to the board by the end of 2025. The decision was taken during the first annual general meeting (AGM) held in Singapore under the newly appointed all-Indian leadership.
The proposed changes will take effect for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle, scheduled to run from 2027 to 2029. The revamped Two-tier Test system will involve an expansion from the present nine-team format to two divisions of six.
Sanjog Gupta, ICC’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will lead an eight-member working group alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) chief executives.
However, the radical change will require the support of a two-thirds majority of the ICC’s 12 full members, as well as addressing challenges to the procedure regarding promotion and relegation between divisions.
Moreover, increased financial support will also be required for countries featured in Division Two.
The newly proposed two-division concept of Test cricket first emerged from meetings between CA and the ECB during the women’s Ashes last January.
CA has notably backed the Two-tier Test system, suggesting that Australia, England, and India should play against each other twice every three years, rather than the current format of two series every four years.
