ICC stand firm on World Twenty20 set-up

The International Cricket Council will stand by their decision to cut the number of teams at the next two World Twenty20 tournaments to 12.

The ICC announced the move on Tuesday, prompting a furious reaction from the associate members, who lobbied for a rethink yesterday at the governing body's annual conference in Hong Kong.

The ICC backed down on initial plans to cut the 50-over World Cup to 10 teams - reverting to a 14-team format - but stood firm on the shortest form of the game.

Chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The ICC acknowledges their (the associate members') disappointment, but the decision to have 14 teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup and 12 teams in the ICC World Twenty20 is a return to the current format for ICC events.

"We know that development is central to the ICC and our new strategic plan 2011-15 is designed to build a bigger, better global game."