After the recent T20 World Cup, discussions are underway for another T20 World Cup, but the participation of India and Pakistan remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the England Cricket Board (ECB) is pushing for a World Club Championship tournament to further boost the popularity of T20 cricket globally.

What’s the World Club Championship?
This tournament would feature franchise teams from various T20 leagues around the world, both men’s and women’s teams, competing at a global level. It’s a revival of sorts of the earlier Champions League T20 (2009-2014), which was popular but discontinued due to waning public interest.

ECB’s Take:
Richard Gold, CEO of ECB, told ESPNcricinfo that talks are ongoing and the tournament is definitely planned as the “next step” for international T20 cricket.

Franchise Excitement:
Most IPL owners and Women’s Premier League franchises are enthusiastic about this new tournament. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal expressed readiness to participate if it adds value to global cricket.

Similar Initiatives:
Guyana recently launched the Global Super League, which includes champions from leagues like Australia’s Big Bash, New Zealand’s Super Smash, and UAE’s ILT20. The second season is scheduled for July, but the full lineup of teams is yet to be confirmed.