The International Cricket Council (ICC) is very likely to discuss at some point, the need to have more teams playing its most anticipated marquee event, the ODI World Cup. During ICC board meeting in Kolkata, the officials are likely to also bring up this important issue. Accommodating more associate teams in future World Cups is an absolute must if cricket is to become a truly global sport, independent of one nation for its economics. 

ICC decided after the last cricket world cup to cut the number of teams from 14 to 10 for 2019 and 2023 world cups. Which meant there were only two teams could go through the Qualifiers that took place recently in Zimbabwe. West Indies and Afghanistan qualified from the tournament and ICC were rightly criticised by many for there are obviously more competitive teams in the cricketing world than 10 to play the showpiece event in England next year.  

An ICC official was asked about the same by IANS recently, on the sidelines of the ICC board meeting on April 25 and 26 in Kolkata. He said, "There will be discussions on how to go about it. The ICC needs more associate teams in future World Cups and this meeting should provide a headway,"

At the women's committee meeting, India captain Mithali Raj was asked whether she had ever been approached by bookies for match-fixing, to which the stalwart who led India to the final of the World Cup in England last year, said NO. Mithali attended the meeting as a special invitee.

"She was here for a small part during the meeting. She was asked whether she has encountered any instances of match-fixing. She said she hasn't till date,"