DUBAI – The International Cricket Council has announced to kill-off theChampions Trophy tournament and replace it with a world T20 championshipthat will be held every two years.

According ICC chief executive Dave Richardson, the decision is an effort touse 20-over cricket in a new campaign to get wider recognition and apotential Olympic place.

He said the T20 format is the vehicle for growing the game and transformingthe game from being a sport played by a few countries to a truly globalsport.

The 50-over World Cup will remain a four yearly event. It is in Englandnext year and India in 2023.

The ICC has also decided to give “international status” to all 20-overmatches between the world body’s 100-plus member nations.

Global rankings will also be introduced from November for women’s teams andMay 2019 for men.