My dream is to see India play China - Speed

Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, is happy that the Twenty20 format of the game was fast gaining popularity around the world.

"Eighteen months ago I had said Twenty20 cricket will be a phenomenon. There was a stage when the BCCI [the Indian board] was apprehensive about Twenty20 cricket. I am pleased now about the growing popularity of this form of the game."

The BCCI is reportedly on the verge of forming a two-tier Twenty20 league that will involve domestic leagues in four countries and an international league.

Speed expressed happiness that next month's Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa would be shown on television in China and hoped that this will make the game catch up in popularity in the world's most populous country. "My dream is that before my lifetime I will be able to see India and China playing against each other in Test cricket."