Cricket Goes Global: Timor-Leste & Zambia Join ICC, Membership Now 110
News Desk: In a landmark step to broaden cricket’s global reach, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has added Timor-Leste and Zambia as new associate members, taking the total number of ICC member nations to 110. The announcement came during the ICC’s Annual Conference held in Singapore, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s development.
For Timor-Leste, this inclusion is historic—it becomes the 10th associate member in the East Asia-Pacific region, and the first to be inducted from that zone in over two decades. Cricket has seen a steady rise in popularity among the youth in the country, and its new ICC status will now give it access to international support, funding, and participation in global qualifying events.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s return to the ICC is a story of redemption and revival. Previously granted associate membership in 2003, Zambia was suspended and later expelled due to governance and compliance failures. However, after several reforms and meeting ICC’s requirements, Zambia has been reinstated as the 22nd African nation in the ICC’s associate member list—signaling a fresh start for cricket in the country.
With this move, both nations will benefit from the ICC’s development programs, technical support, and eligibility for international fixtures. It also reflects the ICC’s long-term vision of expanding cricket into new and non-traditional regions, nurturing the sport at grassroots levels and building stronger pathways for emerging nations.
This expansion not only boosts the presence of cricket across continents but also opens doors for new talent and competition in the global cricketing arena.
https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/outcomes-after-icc-annual-conference-in-singapore
