Big expansion of ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy! Now 10 teams will play, 5 test countries will be included

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to give new heights to women’s cricket. ICC has announced the expansion of the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which started last year. This important decision was taken in the online meeting of ICC Chief Executives held on Thursday. The first edition was played in 2025 with 8 associate teams, while the second edition will now be held in November 2025 with 10 teams.

5 Test playing countries have also been included in the new championship.

Teams involved:
– Test Country: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland
– Associate Country: Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, UAE, Papua New Guinea

This tournament will give emerging women’s teams an opportunity to play big teams, which will further increase the depth of women’s cricket.

Let us tell you that there was no discussion in this meeting on major issues related to men’s cricket like the restructuring of the World Test Championship (WTC) or the proposed two-tier test system. These issues have been left for the ICC Board meeting to be held in Ahmedabad on May 30. This expansion is being considered a big step for the future of women’s cricket.