Scotland, Netherlands launch fierce attack on ICC over 2027 World Cup format

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) on Monday said the changes to next year's ODI World Cup format "risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket", questioning the process through which the changes have been introduced.

While the 2027 ODI World Cup will have a total of 14 countries, the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th will face off in a qualifying round from which only one team will progress to join the final 12 sides. These 12 teams will be further divided into two groups of six each for the main round.

The two national boards issued a joint statement on Monday criticising the global governing body's decision to change the format with less than 18 months left for the competition, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.