In a major move to acquire new audiences across Associate member countries, International Cricket Council (ICC) have announced that all 541 pathway event matches across three ICC World Cups qualification pathway events will be live-streamed globally in partnership with IMG until April 2023.
All matches will be available for streaming on icc.tv website and FanCode app for the Indian sub-continent region. The on-ground production equipment facilities for the upcoming event in Oman will be provided by CricClubs.
Qualification pathway events towards 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC League 2 and CWC Challenge League), Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups in 2022/2023 (T20WC Qualifiers, Sub-regional Qualifiers, Regional Finals) are included in the deal signed between ICC and IMG. The partnership will also deliver vital content for ICC digital channels to engage with existing fans and attract new fans from around the world.
ICC Chief Executive, Manu Sawhney said “We are delighted to be partnering with IMG to deliver more cricket to more fans than ever before. This is a significant step forward for our sport and increases the size of our platform globally, which supports our long-term ambitions for greater sustainability for all of our Members.
“Associate Members have long identified that broadcasting international cricket would provide a significant opportunity for growth and raise the profile of our sport in non-traditional heartlands and we are excited by the potential of this partnership.”
The streaming deal will be a major boost for Cricket Boards of Nepal, Namibia, United States of America, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Jersey, Malaysia, Japan, Botswana, Canada, Samoa and Nigeria, who will be able to showcase their hosting capabilities and facilities across the qualification tournaments to a global audience.
Adam Kelly, Co President, Media and Events, IMG, said “The pathway matches are an important part of the future growth of international cricket and we are delighted to have been chosen by the ICC to ensure they are streamed live around the world.
“This key relationship will ensure both the men’s and women’s games receive much wider awareness across several different broadcast platforms. We look forward to working with the ICC and its members on showcasing the game as broadly as possible.”
