ICC poised to dump Champions Trophy for new Future Tours Program

LONDON - The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to kill off the Champions Trophy in order to construct an enhanced international programme for the future.

After the ICC board approved the creation of Test and limited overs championship leagues, the governing body’s chief executives committee will meet in Dubai to mull over the details.

According to Fox Sports, committee members are expected to push for the removal of the Champions Trophy to allow room for the Test championship semis and final to be contested once every four years.

“The restructure of international cricket has been a significant and strategic piece of work which now requires a new Future Tours Program (FTP) Agreement incorporating league rules and regulations to be discussed and approved,” ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said.

“The present ICC directors and Chief Executives have recognized their essential role in shaping the future strategy of the ICC and the game,” he added.

Originally launched as a revenue raiser and also a lightweight event that could be played in a wider variety of locales than the more cumbersome World Cup, the Champions Trophy has been edged to the fringes of an increasingly cramped calendar by Twenty20 cricket, the report said.

It was inaugurated as the ICC Knock Out tournament in 1998, and has been played every two years since, changing its name to the Champions Trophy in 2002. (ANI)