ICC Development Awards Highlight Regional Winners, Women’s Growth, Associate Success, Digital Impact and Global Selection Process

The UAE and Indonesia emerge as leading Associate Members in the ICC Development Awards 2025, each collecting four regional wins. In total, 30 regional winners across six categories progress to the Global Awards in July, while six further Members are shortlisted for the ICC criiio Cricket Festivals with Rexona.

Set up in 2002, the ICC Development Awards recognise Associate Members that expand cricket in new territories. The honours cover work on and off the field. They focus on participation growth, social programmes, women's cricket, fan engagement and standout international performances across all five ICC development regions.

ICC Development Awards 2025 regional spread and key Member successes

Across the 2025 cycle, 20 ICC Members gain regional recognition. The Emirates Cricket Board and Persatuan Cricket Indonesia each top their regions in four categories, underlining sustained development in Asia and East Asia-Pacific. Brazil and Japan also feature strongly, entering three global races each after repeating success in multiple categories.

The six headline categories span development initiatives, women's cricket programmes, men's and women's team performances, digital fan engagement and social impact work. A separate shortlist for ICC criiio Cricket Festivals with Rexona highlights festivals in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Nigeria, Indonesia and Brazil, all designed to bring new participants into the game.

ICC Development Awards 2025 focus on programmes, performance and social impact

Development projects recognised this cycle range from grassroots participation drives in Uganda and Cyprus to digital development work in Canada. Social impact schemes in Bhutan and Romania show how cricket can address wider community needs, while targeted women's cricket initiatives in Suriname and Türkiye broaden access and visibility for female players.

On-field results also carry weight. Men's team performances from the Bahamas, Nigeria, Scotland, Tanzania and Italy receive regional honours. Women's sides from Nigeria, Brazil, the UAE, Japan and Scotland are rewarded for strong results in ICC events or bilateral cricket, reflecting competitive depth among Associate Member teams worldwide.

ICC Development Awards 2025 judging panel and selection process

All regional winners now move into contention for the Global Awards, which a 12-member independent panel will decide. The group features two-time ICC Men's T20 World Cup-winner Samuel Badree, former Ireland player Kevin O'Brien and ex-Zimbabwe international Mary-Anne Musonda, alongside representatives from ICC partners, Full Members and media.

The ICC confirms that Global Winners will be announced on ICC channels in July. Regional winners and shortlisted Members therefore remain in contention over the coming weeks, as voting reflects both quantitative impact and qualitative assessment of how each project or performance supports cricket growth in emerging markets.

Leadership views on ICC Development Awards 2025 progress

ICC Chairman Mr. Jay Shah praises the breadth of work carried out by Associate Members. Mr. Jay Shah said: "The ICC Development Awards continue to highlight the outstanding work being delivered by our Members to grow cricket in emerging nations and create more opportunities for people to engage with the game around the world.

"Across every region, we are seeing innovation, inclusivity and ambition drive the sport forward through grassroots participation programmes, women's cricket initiatives, digital fan engagement and strong on-field performances. The diversity of this year's winners reflects the global momentum behind the game and the dedication of Members.

"I would like to congratulate all of the Regional Winners and shortlisted Members on their achievements and wish them the very best ahead of the Global Awards."

ICC Development Awards 2025 regional winners by category

The ICC Development Initiative of the Year rewards the best participation or digital development project from an Associate Member. Uganda Cricket Association wins for Africa, Cricket Canada for the Americas, Emirates Cricket Board for Asia, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia for EAP and Cyprus Cricket Federation for Europe.

Female-focused programmes receive dedicated recognition through the ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year. Cricket Namibia secures the Africa award, Surinamese Cricket Bond takes the Americas, Emirates Cricket Board leads Asia, Japan Cricket Association wins in EAP and Türkiye Cricket Branch is honoured in Europe for its outreach work.

Men's and women's team displays are split into two performance categories. For men's teams, Tanzania Cricket Association, Bahamas Cricket Association, Emirates Cricket Board, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia and Federazione Cricket Italiana are regional winners. Women's awards go to Nigeria Cricket Federation, Confederação Brasileira de Cricket, Emirates Cricket Board, Japan Cricket Association and Cricket Scotland.

Digital projects receive attention under ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year. Cricket Namibia wins in Africa, Cricket Canada in the Americas, Oman Cricket in Asia, Japan Cricket Association in EAP and Cricket Scotland in Europe. Social programmes are recognised through ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year, rewarding Uganda, Brazil, Bhutan, Indonesia and Romania.

Alongside these awards, six Associate Members form the global shortlist for ICC criiio Cricket Festivals with Rexona. Bahrain Cricket Federation, Qatar Cricket Association, Emirates Cricket Board, Nigeria Cricket Federation, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia and Confederação Brasileira de Cricket will now compete for recognition for festival delivery within the broader development awards framework.

The 2025 ICC Development Awards underline how Associate Members use cricket for participation, competition and community benefits. With UAE and Indonesia particularly prominent, and strong representation from Africa, the Americas, Asia, EAP and Europe, the Global Awards in July will close a year that already shows extensive progress across the developing cricket landscape.