The ICC’s recently concluded Men’s T20 World Cup, held in the USA and the West Indies, has sparked concerns beyond its budgetary overshoot. Disney-Star, the ICC's broadcast partner, has questioned whether the tournament delivered sufficient value for the investment in broadcasting rights and if the rights deal could have yielded better outcomes.
One major issue raised was the scheduling of matches, particularly those that aired in the early morning hours in the subcontinent, which significantly impacted viewership. Notably, most of the West Indies’ matches, including the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan, were broadcast during these less favourable time slots.
Additionally, concerns were voiced about the drop-in pitches used at Nassau County Stadium in New York. These pitches produced bowling-friendly conditions, leading to low scores—two teams were bowled out for under 100, and the highest completed innings reached just 137. The first two pitches were rated "unsatisfactory" by the ICC, narrowly avoiding the "unfit" classification. Even the marquee India-Pakistan match at the venue, despite being rated "satisfactory," saw Pakistan fail to chase a modest target of 120.
The Trinidad pitch for the semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan also came under scrutiny. Afghanistan was bowled out for just 56 on a pitch that exhibited excessive seam movement and uneven bounce, leading to it being rated "unsatisfactory."
Disney-Star, which has held the broadcasting rights to all ICC events since the 2011 Men’s ODI World Cup, secured the rights for the India market in a four-year deal worth over USD 3 billion last year. Given the significant financial implications for ICC members, particularly those relying heavily on revenue from these deals, the broadcaster's dissatisfaction is likely to be taken seriously.
There were discussions within the ICC about potentially swapping the USA-West Indies event with either India in 2026 or England in 2028 to allow more time for venue preparation. However, these discussions did not progress.
In addition to New York, Florida also faced criticism as a venue. Despite most rain falling in the preceding week, inadequate drainage and insufficient covers to protect the playing area led to several matches being abandoned due to wet patches on the outfield. This included an India game, with three out of four scheduled matches in Florida being called off.
The discontent surrounding this event is currently under audit, especially after it was revealed that the US leg’s budget exceeded the original by up to USD 20 million. This situation has even led to discussions about potentially converting the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy into a T20I format. However, no further developments have occurred since the issue was first raised, and it was not discussed in the recent ICC meetings.