Key Points
- AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh endorse the new Test Twenty format launching next year.
- The format targets youth aged 13–19, featuring four innings of 20 overs each, completed in one day with a red ball and whites.
- Unique rules include a 75-run follow-on, five-bowler limit, and outcomes of win, loss, tie, or draw.
- Legends hail the concept as a bridge between Test discipline and T20 excitement, aiming to engage young players and fans alike.
ISLAMABAD: In what could redefine the future of cricket, legends AB de Villiers, Sir Clive Lloyd, Matthew Hayden, and Harbhajan Singh have rallied behind a revolutionary new format, the “Test Twenty”, set to debut next year. Designed to bridge the gap between cricket’s oldest and newest forms, the hybrid format aims to attract the next generation of cricketers aged 13 to 19 by combining the strategy of Tests with the pace of T20s.
Played in traditional whites with a red ball, Test Twenty will feature four innings of 20 overs each, all wrapped up within a single day. The structure promises balance and excitement, complete with a four-over PowerPlay, a 75-run follow-on rule, and a five-bowler limit with each allowed a maximum of eight overs. Matches can end in a win, loss, tie, or draw, offering young players a taste of every cricketing outcome in one compact spectacle.
Proud to have launched Test Twenty®️ with @gauravbahirvani . If you’re 13–19 and play with passion, this is your chance. Register: https://t.co/zNFYTDL6lV@The_Test_Twenty @HaydosTweets #clivelloyd @harbhajan_singh #ParitySports #oneonesixnetwork#TestTwenty #FourthFormat pic.twitter.com/FNDYvM6tJf
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) October 16, 2025
Part of the official Test Twenty Advisory Board, the four cricket icons see the format as a bridge between eras. “What excites me most is the real creative freedom this format brings to the game,” said AB de Villiers, emphasising its potential to blend risk, flair, and resilience. “It’s about expression, but also about balance, learning to survive across two innings.”
For Sir Clive Lloyd, the innovation captures the essence of both cricket’s soul and spectacle. “T20 cricket is an exhibition, and Test cricket is an examination. Now we’re merging these two worlds into one. I believe it will be a huge success,” he said.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh highlighted the importance of simplicity and fan connection. “Crowds make a game legendary, be it cricket, hockey, or football. The key is making it easy for people to understand and love,” he noted.
Innovative Rules and Match Dynamics
PowerPlay Precision: Each captain can choose a single four-over PowerPlay at any point during the match. If unused, it automatically kicks in between overs 7 and 10 of the second innings.
Follow-On Rule: The team batting first can enforce a follow-on if their opponents trail by 75 runs or more after the opening innings.
Early Collapse Bonus: Should a team be bowled out before reaching 10 overs in their first innings, the opposition is rewarded with three extra overs to capitalize.
Bowling Limits: Each side can deploy a maximum of five bowlers, with individual bowlers limited to eight overs across both innings.
Extras Penalty: While standard T20 rules apply to wides and no-balls, committing three or more in a single over results in a three-run penalty.
Over-Rate Sanction: Teams failing to maintain the required over-rate will incur a five-run penalty and forfeit a timeout.
Super Session Showdown: If scores are tied, a one-over eliminator will determine the winner. If the tie persists, the team with more boundaries will be declared victorious.
With the backing of some of cricket’s biggest names, Test Twenty is poised to become the sport’s fourth major format, one that promises to inspire creativity, endurance, and a new wave of passion among the game’s youngest players.
