ICC Bali Meetings 2026: Franchise League Rules, WTC on Agenda

Cricket's governing body is holding its final set of meetings of 2026 in Bali. The discussions could shape how many T20 leagues players can join, which teams meet in the next two Test championships, and when the big ICC tournaments are held for the next decade.

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Below is what the ICC has officially put on the table, what the media has reported beyond that, and why it matters for Pakistan.

ICC Meetings in Bali at a Glance

Franchise League Rules Under Review

The biggest talking point is the Franchise League Review Group, set up at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2026. The ICC says it will give its first feedback in Bali on how to strengthen the current sanctioning framework, the rules under which boards approve leagues and release players, as the number of franchise leagues keeps growing.

The ICC has not published the group's proposals. Some media reports, including one from News Room Guyana, say ideas under discussion include a limit on overseas players in each playing XI, a standard payment from host boards to a player's home board, and a cap on how many leagues one country can host. These have not been confirmed by the ICC, and nothing will apply unless the Board approves it.

World Test Championship and Event Windows

According to the ICC, proposed matchups for the 2027-29 and 2029-31 World Test Championship cycles will be presented in Bali. The fixtures decide which countries play Test series against each other, which matters for points, home seasons and broadcast income.

Windows for all established ICC men's events from 2028 to 2035 will also be submitted for approval. Fixed windows help boards plan bilateral series and their own T20 leagues around World Cups and Champions Trophies.

Other Items on the Agenda

• A Governance Review Committee, also formed in July, will report its first recommendations on how the ICC is run.
• The Development Committee is working on qualification paths for ICC events, especially for emerging cricket nations.
• A task force on Afghan refugee women cricketers will present next steps for its development pathway programme.
• The Chief Executives' Committee and Board will consider a DRS accreditation programme.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the meetings show the strength of the ICC as the sport's global governing body, and that holding them in Bali is a significant occasion for cricket in Indonesia.

What It Could Mean for Pakistan and PSL

The ICC releases do not mention Pakistan or the PCB specifically. Still, any change to franchise league rules would matter to the Pakistan Super League, which relies on overseas stars, and to Pakistani players who play in leagues abroad. Changes to player release rules or league windows could affect planning for PSL 12, whose player auction is set for January 2027. Read our PSL 12 roadmap for the current timeline.

The WTC fixture lists will also show which countries Pakistan is set to host and visit in the next two Test cycles. The PCB had not commented on the Bali agenda by 12 November.

What Is Still Not Known

• The exact proposals of the Franchise League Review Group.
• Whether any decision on leagues will take effect immediately or from a later season.
• The full WTC fixture lists, which the ICC usually publishes after Board approval.

We will update this article when the ICC announces the outcomes after the Board meeting.

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