Now all 104 members can play Twenty 20 Internationals

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has granted Twenty 20 International status to all 104 members after the meeting in Kolkata, CEO David Richardson said on Thursday.

CEO David Richardson confirmed the development after attending the ICC’s meeting in Kolkata. At present, there are 18 members with T20I status - 12 full members plus Scotland, Netherlands, Hong Kong, UAE, Oman and Nepal.

In the wake of a controversy-marred Test series between South Africa and Australia, the ICC also stated that they will clamp down heavily on infringements like ball tampering and sledging.

"Stricter and heavier transactions for ball tampering and using abusive language, sledging, dissent. We want penalties in place. Fines are not proving to be the answer. The cricket committee will come back with plans," Richardson said.

The ICC also discussed T20 leagues and their impact on international calendars. Earlier this year, there were reports doing the rounds that from the year 2020, there won't be any international cricket played during the IPL - paving the way for a separate window for the T20 league.

Richardson said: "There are occasions where they [T20 leagues] are competing with international bilateral series. We need to look at our regulations to see how we can allow that to happen."