Xtra Time Web Desk: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a groundbreaking decision to provide equal prize money for men’s and women’s teams at ICC events. This decision was made during the ICC Annual Conference held in Durban, South Africa, and signifies a major milestone in the ICC’s efforts to achieve prize money parity by 2030, surpassing their original timeline.
Under the new policy, teams will receive the same amount of prize money for finishing in similar positions at comparable events. Additionally, the winning team of a match at these events will also be rewarded equally. This change applies to events such as the ICC Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cup, the T20 World Cups, and the U19 tournaments.
ICC Chairman Greg Barclay expressed his delight at this development, emphasizing that it is a significant moment in the history of cricket. He highlighted that the ICC has been progressively increasing prize money for women’s events since 2017, with the specific aim of achieving equality. Going forward, the prize money for winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the T20 World Cups, and the U19 tournaments will match that of the men’s counterparts.
In recent years, the ICC has been actively working towards promoting gender equality in cricket. The prize money for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 and 2023 was five times higher than the amount offered in 2018. Furthermore, the prize money for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2022 has been raised to $3.5 million, compared to the $2 million awarded in the 2017 edition.
This move by the ICC signifies a strong commitment to recognizing and valuing the contributions of all players, irrespective of their gender. By equalizing prize money, the ICC aims to promote inclusivity and reinforce cricket as a sport for all.