Hong Kong: A day after the BCCI announced dates for Indian Premier League next season, the ICC on Tuesday virtually left an unofficial window for the cash-rich Twenty20 event, making it possible for players from most nations to participate in it.
The ICC on the third day of its annual conference here left gaps in the FTP for most nations during April and May for the eight-year period from 2012-20.
The FTP, which was approved by the ICC Executive Board on Tuesday on the recommendations of Chief Executives` Committee, contains an official two-week window in September for the
Champions League Twenty20 each year and leaves space for an unofficial IPL window in April and May.
All the earlier four editions of the IPL were held in April-May and the fifth edition next year is scheduled from April 4 to May 27.
Under the new FTP calender, India are scheduled to host Pakistan for a Test series in 2013, the first time after 2007.
But, beyond that, particulars of other series between the two countries were vague with neither the host nation nor the number of games were specified.
They would also play 90 Tests and 166 ODIs within the eight-year span.
India also play fewer Test matches than England and Australia in the eight-year period though the world champions would be the busiest team in ODIs.
The FTP has a clear division among the Test playing countries with England, Australia and India scheduled to play the most Tests, followed by Sri Lanka and South Africa.
England will play 99 matches over the next eight years, Australia 92. Sri Lanka and South Africa will play 76 and 74 Tests respectively. They are followed by the West Indies and
New Zealand with 66 Tests each and Pakistan with 65 followed by Bangladesh (42) and Zimbabwe (41).
PTI
