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In April 2014, the International Cricket Council (ICC) proposed a competition called the 2018 ICC Test Challenge. It is scheduled to be the inaugural edition of the ICC Test Challenge. It will give an opportunity to the top associate member to achieve Test status.
The original agreed format is for the winner of the 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup to play a series of four five day matches, two home and two away with the tenth ranked team as of 31 December 2017 in ICC Test Rankings. Should the associate member win the challenge, it will receive Test status for 4 years. However, the ICC has not made clear whether the associate member will have to win all four matches or just have to win the series.
However, in February 2017 following an ICC Board meeting, changes were agreed in principle to expand the number of Test nations to twelve. Both Ireland and Afghanistan are likely to be granted Test status before the proposed 2018 ICC Test Challenge. The ICC are scheduled to agree the change at their next board meeting in April 2017.