ICC adopts six-year FTP, approves shorter Champions Trophy

Dubai, Mar 22 (UNI) The ICC's Executive Board has adopted a six-year Future Tours Program (FTP) and approved a shorter eight-team format for the ICC Champions Trophy from 2008 on the second and final day of its meeting here.

''After two years of analysis and review and 10 drafts the Board has approved a new six-year FTP for the ICC's 10 Full Members. This six-year program of reciprocal touring obligations will replace the current five-year program from May,'' an ICC release said.

''The new FTP will require all of the Full Member sides to play home and away series against each other within the six year period,'' it added.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the new FTP would help provide certainty of scheduling for all of the Full Member countries through to 2012.

''It is very pleasing that after two years of discussions we have been able to produce a new FTP that is supported by all 10 of our Full Member countries,'' Mr Speed said.

The Board confirmed that there would be a major ICC event every year as part of its new package of events from 2007-2015 but stopped short of finalising the events to be included in this package or awarding hosting rights to Members.

The Board also announced a shorter eight-team Champions Trophy, which will be a part of the ICC events package with the first of these scheduled to take place in 2008.

The new FTP will make room for the top teams like Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa to play each other more often.

Meanwhile, the Board accepted a request from the BCCI to expand the number of venues for this year's Champions Trophy from three to four but any additional costs as a result of this change will have to be met by the BCCI. The schedule of the event will now be finalised.

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