Colombo, Sri Lanka

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the apex body of cricket is set to review the cost spiral during the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies. A meeting of ICC directors is set to take place in Colombo over the weekend as they review the situation that led to the injection of an extra $20 million during the T20 World Cup's US leg. Cricket West Indies (CWI) will also be the center of attraction for the poor management during the T20 World Cup while conversation over Champions Trophy 2025 should also spark debate in the meeting.

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ICC to review T20 World Cup costs

The board of directors of the ICC is set to review the costs which increased significantly during the last phase of the T20 World Cup. According to a report by Espncricinfo, an initial budget in the range of US $40-50 million was allotted for the USA leg of the tournament. The report adds that one of the directors said that the initial estimate, of $15 million was meant for operational expenses and roughly $30 million for the construction of the temporary stadium outside New York City.

However, on the eve of the World Cup, T20 World Cup USA Inc, the US-based entity created by the ICC's commercial arm IBC (ICC Business Corporation) to run the US leg, sent in a request for an additional $20 million.

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The situation did not go well with several directors who were furious about the last-minute request made by IBC. According to one official who was involved in the organising and running of the tournament, said that though the $20 million T20 World Cup USA Inc sought was not an additional budget, to support cash flow: "T20 Inc had to pay people and needed a cash injection as a loan."

What else is on the agenda?

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While the cost review remains one of the talking points during the T20 World Cup, the major attraction will be ICC’s stance on the Champions Trophy 2025 which is to be held in Pakistan during February next year. According to media reports, India will not travel to Pakistan which has once again led the talks of a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025. While nothing is official yet, the ICC is expected to have a long discussion on the issue before the schedule of the tournament is announced.