The International Cricket Council (ICC) serves as the ultimate regulatory authority for the global sport of cricket. It oversees major cricket tournaments like the World Cups, World Test Championship, and Champions Trophy.
Similar to other governing bodies, the ICC has its specific rules and regulations that member nations must adhere to. In instances of non-compliance with these obligations, the council retains the authority to suspend or even ban the concerned board.
In a recent turn of events, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the cricket board of Sri Lanka. The decision was prompted by the national government’s intervention and control of the board.
#8 The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday
Sri Lanka Cricket got into trouble because of corruption, and the country’s Parliament wanted to remove the dishonest leaders.
The International Cricket Council saw what was happening and decided to stop Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday. We’re not sure how this will affect the Sri Lankan men’s and women’s teams.
#7 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe became the first Test-playing nation to be suspended by the ICC. On July 18, 2019, the international cricket governing body suspended Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) immediately.
This action was taken because ZC didn’t outline a plan for fair elections and allowed government interference in cricket administration. As a result, the ICC halted funding to ZC and barred Zimbabwe from participating in its organized events.
The ban was lifted within three months after the ICC held discussions with the top officials of Zimbabwe Cricket and the country’s government.
#6 Brunei
Brunei, an Asian nation, held affiliate membership with the International Cricket Council for 23 years, joining in 1992 and taking part in various Asian Cricket Council events.
However, in 2013, Brunei received a warning for not complying with seven board regulations. Consequently, the international cricket governing body suspended Brunei in 2014 and removed it from the list of affiliate members in 2015.
#5 Cuba
The Cuban Cricket Commission (CCC) became an affiliate member of the ICC in 2002, participating in qualifying tournaments in the Americas region.
In 2013, the International Cricket Council suspended CCC due to their non-compliance with the board’s guidelines. The CCC has not yet made a comeback.
#4 Morocco
Morocco gained attention in 2002 by hosting the Morocco Cup with teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. The Royal Moroccan Cricket Federation had previously become an ICC affiliate member in 1999.
Morocco remained on the ICC’s members list until 2019 when they faced charges of non-compliance with four statutes in 2014. Five years later, the international cricket governing body withdrew their membership.
#3 Russia
After the International Cricket Council’s 78th Annual General Meeting in 2021, Russia was served notice. The meeting took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the meeting, Russia was given a one-year notice to ‘demonstrate compliance or face immediate termination of ICC membership.’ As Cricket Russia failed to address the concerns, the board terminated its membership on July 26, 2022.
#2 Zambia
In 2014, Zambia, an African nation, received an official warning from the International Cricket Council. The issue was non-compliance with finance statute 5.3, which required the country’s board to show revenue independence from the International Cricket Council.
This amount should be $25,000 or 10 percent of ICC funding to the nation, whichever is higher. In 2019, due to ongoing non-compliance in addressing the breaches, Zambia faced suspension, and two years later, the ICC terminated their membership.
#1 Tonga
Tonga, in the East Asia-Pacific region, joined the international cricket body in 2000 as an affiliate member. They won against Indonesia and the Cook Islands, but in 2013, the ICC suspended them for lacking a full-time paid administrator.
A year later, Tonga’s membership was revoked. Notably, current Netherlands captain Scott Edwards was born in Tonga.
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