According to foreign media reports, several Test-playing countries categorized as "smaller nations" may play four-day Test matches, while India, England, and Australia are expected to continue with the traditional five-day format.
Furthermore, along with this shift to four-day Tests for the smaller nations, the ICC is also said to be focusing on reducing the number of One Day Internationals (ODIs) they participate in annually. The purpose behind this decision is to provide these countries with more opportunities to play four-day Test matches by decreasing their ODI commitments.
Notably, England previously played a four-day Test match against Zimbabwe in 2017 and against Ireland in both 2019 and 2023.
Additionally, even though the matches are to be held over four days, a proposal has been made to increase the number of overs per day to 98, which stands out as a key feature of this plan.
