The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially suspended USA Cricket (USAC), intervening in the governance of the sport in one of its developing markets. The move, made in a virtual ICC Board meeting on Tuesday, comes after warnings over months and marks a rebirth in the running of the sport in the United States. Significantly, this suspension will not impact the USA's presence in the next T20 World Cup in February 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The team will continue competing under the direct jurisdiction of the ICC. The reasons for the suspension have not been elaborated, but it follows USAC being under notice since July 2024. Back then, the board was instructed by the ICC to hold free and fair polls as well as introduce sweeping governance reforms within three months. The world governing body had cautioned against non-compliance, and the suspension is in accordance with its decision to make its leaders accountable. The decision is also part of ICC's wider USA Cricket roadmap, aimed at assisting the board in achieving National Governing Body (NGB) status with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Cricket's presence in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games depends on this recognition, with the USA, as host nation, set to take part in both men's and women's events. Read also: IND A vs AUS A 2025: Suthar bags five, Siraj hits stride on day one at Ekana Last month, the ICC's Normalisation Committee, led by Jay Shah, met with USAC chairman Venu Pisike and CEO Johnathan Atkeison. The committee prepared a six-step road map to transform USAC's governance. This involved the appointment of three new independent directors, the resignation of the current board, and new elections. In addition to this, a complete review of the USA Cricket Constitution was required in consultation with ICC stakeholders. The move comes amidst an already tense environment between USAC and its previous commercial partner, American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), which operates Major League and Minor League Cricket. The latest action by USAC to terminate its deal with ACE resulted in legal fights. Players have also complained about their futures being uncertain. Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand allrounder who now plays for the USA and is operational director of the USA Cricketers Association, has conceded that the ongoing controversies and instability have had players in the dark.